It is a well-known statistic that half of all modern marriages in New York, and elsewhere throughout the nation, end in divorce. Divorce is notorious for being complicated and spouses being non-compliant during the process. There is another option, however, for couples who are ready to call it quits in a less stressful, more productive way.

Divorce mediation has been touted for keeping couples out of the courtroom, where tempers can flare and accusations can be thrown around. The damage can be especially traumatic between parents. Arguments can arise from issues as important as holiday visitation and as trivial as dinner. Keeping a good working relationship is essential when parents decide to get divorced, and mediation helps set up and maintain that relationship.

There is also a financial benefit to mediation. While enlisting the help of experts is common, hour and week-long arguments are avoided, cutting down on expensive sessions with expensive experts. Mediation is known to be both efficient and cost-effective. By saving time and money, those resources can be put toward starting new, separate lives.

If a divorce is properly mediated, both parties will leave feeling satisfied and with a better understanding of their ex-partner. If children are involved, then the two will continue to be partners, but with separate lives. Whatever the outcome, the goal is to have each party be heard and understood by the other and come to an agreement that both can live with. When divorce mediation works properly, couples leave divorced, but on good terms and with civil, if not good, relationships.

Source: Huffington Post, "In Today's Uncertain Financial Times, Mediated Divorce Makes More Sense Than Ever," Bari Zell Weinberger, Esq., Nov. 29, 2011