Mediation May Be Smarter Than Litigation in Your Missouri Divorce

October 18, 2012 (Press-News.org) Mediation May Be Smarter Than Litigation in Your Missouri Divorce

When a divorce ends up in court, the judge has to decide the issues most important to the family like child custody, visitation, spousal maintenance, child support, property division and debt allocation. It is almost always better for the divorcing couple to come to agreement on these crucial issues privately in a marital settlement agreement. Although there may be compromise and neither spouse will get everything he or she wants, at least the parties are voluntarily agreeing to their future family matters, rather than having a judge decide what is best for them.

Sometimes a couple just cannot handle the negotiation process productively. Understandably, the parties are under tremendous stress and dealing with uncertainty, anger, grief, numbness and any other of a host of natural reactions to the situation.

People under these circumstances may benefit from divorce mediation, the most frequently used alternate dispute resolution method in family law matters. In the mediation process, the couple hires a neutral third-party mediator who helps them get through the negotiation successfully. Mediation may be undertaken voluntarily, and in some Missouri counties may be required as part of the divorceprocess.

A mediator receives special training in peaceful conflict-resolution methods, which he or she uses to facilitate the couple's negotiation. For example, the mediator may help with mutual understanding, teach positive communication techniques, suggest creative solutions, define the issues and help gather necessary outside information.

A mediator may use different methods according to the needs of the couple. For example, if necessary, each spouse may have his or her own room with the mediator moving between them conveying information.

Some of the positive aspects of divorce mediation usually lacking in prolonged court litigation can be:
-Lower cost
-More dignity and respect
-Higher chance of creative solutions
-Less hostility
-Greater level of control remains with the affected parties
-Less stress
-Better foundation for future co-parenting
-More privacy and confidentiality

If you are facing divorce in Missouri, speak with a skilled family law attorney who has specific experience with mediation to see if it might be a viable option for you and your family.

Article provided by Kallen Law Firm, LLC
Visit us at http://www.stlouisdivorce.net