At Westfield Mediation, LLC, we get phone calls from some reluctant people. They fear they will not get everything they want if they go through divorce mediation and they would get more (time with the kids, alimony, child support, money) if they litigated. Well, no one gets everything they want when a marriage ends, whether they litigate or mediate. Recently an oil tycoon has been ordered to pay almost 1 billion, that’s billion with a capital B, to his ex-wife in the divorce settlement. She is not satisfied and feels like she is entitled to more. This couple litigated their divorce. So what do you get when you mediate? What are the benefits if you do not get everything you want? You do have more control over the agreement. You have input into the process rather than it being forced upon you by a judge. Since you are directly communicating with one another, couples tend to develop a more amicable post-divorce relationship, which is especially beneficial for your kids. You keep the cost of the divorce down. A mediated divorce can be done for a fraction of the cost ($3,500 instead of $35,000) compared to a litigated divorce. And you can move at your own pace. You can get the process done in two months or two years. It is up to you when to schedule meetings and make decisions. Additionally, couples tend to follow the terms of the divorce decree because they helped craft it. So, there is minimal post-divorce motions and need to return to court.
You need to accept that no matter the path of your divorce no one comes away 100% satisfied with the settlement. I tell my clients that if one of them is overjoyed about the final agreement, then I have not done my job correctly. And even though a person does not get everything s/he wants, our clients seemed to be very satisfied with the divorce mediation process.
For more information about Divorce Mediation contact Randi M. Albert, JD, or Michelle Weinberg, LMFT, at Westfield Mediation, LLC, at 908.913.0373. View our website at www.westfieldnjmediation.com or email us at info@westfieldnjmediation.com
You need to accept that no matter the path of your divorce no one comes away 100% satisfied with the settlement. I tell my clients that if one of them is overjoyed about the final agreement, then I have not done my job correctly. And even though a person does not get everything s/he wants, our clients seemed to be very satisfied with the divorce mediation process.
For more information about Divorce Mediation contact Randi M. Albert, JD, or Michelle Weinberg, LMFT, at Westfield Mediation, LLC, at 908.913.0373. View our website at www.westfieldnjmediation.com or email us at info@westfieldnjmediation.com