The emotional distress of ending a marriage can make it difficult to focus on the legal and financial aspects of divorce. However, taking the right approach could save you thousands in administrative fees, divorce lawyer costs and other expenses.
Mediation can help you and your soon-to-be ex resolve disagreements without the time, expense and stress of litigation. This process is particularly ideal for couples who cannot find common ground on major issues such as asset division and child custody.
During mediation, a neutral third party will evaluate your case and provide recommendations based on Arizona laws, his or her experience, and your unique situation. You are not obligated to accept the recommendations.
If you are facing divorce in Arizona, contact the Zachary Law Group, P.L.C. Steven Zachary is a family attorney in Chandler who can answer your questions about child custody, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, alimony and other family law matters.
Call 480-389-3533 to schedule a free case evaluation. You can also learn about Arizona’s divorce process by visiting http://divorce.usattorneys.com/arizona/.
Here are three reasons why you should consider mediation if you and your spouse cannot agree on important terms of your divorce:
- More Privacy
Going to court and laying bare all of the problems in your relationship can be an unnerving experience. During mediation, though, there are no recorders or cameras, so there will not be an official record of the conversations. Your marital problems will remain private.
- Less Stress
The litigation process can be stressful for everyone involved. The judge may not see matters the same way you do, so it may feel as though the entire situation is out of your hands. However, you are under no obligation to accept the recommendations of a mediator. As such, many people find it easier to remain objective.
- More Affordable
Divorce can be expensive – especially when you take matters to court. As the State Bar of Arizona explains, you will still have to pay for mediation, but it costs significantly less than court fees and attorney expenses. Even if you require multiple mediation sessions, it is unlikely that the cost of mediation will exceed that of litigation.
What If Mediation Does Not Work?
If you and your spouse cannot agree on important issues after mediation, then it is likely that your case will go to court. Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of couples who enter mediation can find common ground. However, you should not accept the recommendations of your mediator if they seem unfair. If this happens – in fact, well before you attend mediation – you should discuss your case with a divorce lawyer.
Steven Zachary is a Chandler family attorney who can help you avoid mistakes during the divorce process. He has more than 25 years of legal experience and is among the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers. Call 480-389-3533 to schedule a free case evaluation.
