THE PROS AND CONS OF DIVORCE MEDIATION IN ALABAMA
When it comes to an Alabama divorce, you may have heard of options other than going through the courts. Mediation is one of these alternatives. You and your spouse sit in a room with a neutral mediator. They will not know the history of your marriage or need to know it. Their job is to help the two of you focus on one thing alone — signing an agreement.
THE BENEFITS OF MEDIATION
- It is quicker and therefore cheaper: Attorneys charge by the hour, so if you wish to hire their services for a long drawn out legal battle, it will cost you more. Mediation requires less use of an attorney; hence the costs are less.
- It is less conflictive: The whole point of mediation is to find an agreement. As with any dispute, going in aiming to find a solution puts you in a more positive mental state than going in looking for an argument.
- It gives you a say in the outcome: If you take your divorce to litigation, a judge decides your future. If you mediate, you and your spouse determine your future. You do not have to sign until you are happy with the resolution.
WHAT ABOUT THE DISADVANTAGES?
- You are not a legal expert: Unless you went to law school, you probably do not know Alabama law’s fine details. There are legal guidelines related to divorce, child custody, and so on. Ignorance of these could mean you give away more than you need or fail to claim what you are entitled to.
- You may not be an expert negotiator: If you tend to lose out in discussions with your spouse, perhaps a different form of divorce, where you have an attorney negotiate for you, would be more beneficial.
Seek legal help if you want to discover more about divorce mediation in Alabama. Once you understand the facts, you can decide if it is for you.