3 reasons to trade your divorce lawyer for a mediator

Trading in divorce lawyers for a mediator often results in higher satisfaction with the final agreement, lower legal expenses and a more positive relationship once the dust has settled. Here are three reasons why it's a good idea to trade your divorce lawyer for a mediator.

Nearly half of marriages are expected to end in divorce prior to reaching the 30th anniversary, according to Indicators of Well-Being in Canada. Making the decision to divorce is hard, and manoeuvring through the legal system makes the experience harder.

• When divorce terms are negotiated by attorneys and decided by the courts, neither party is likely to be satisfied with the result.
• Divisions of property and child custody issues are determined based on a strict interpretation of applicable laws and the court's perception of the child's best interests.
• In mediation, both parties have an opportunity for their voices to be heard, and all decisions are made by the participants with the help of the mediator.
• Instead of the win/lose proposition offered by the court system, mediation strives for a win/win outcome.

• A 2013 survey by Canadian Lawyer magazine found that many legal firms specializing in divorce have raised rates in the past two years, and a large number have plans to increase rates still further.
• At the time of this survey, a contested divorce cost each spouse between $9,989 and $33,881 in legal fees.
• Choosing the mediation route instantly cuts any expenses in half, as the parties work together towards a solution with a single mediator rather than against each other with separate attorneys.
• Mediators' fees tend to be less than standard attorney's fees, and many mediators offering preset half-day and full-day rates.

• The very process of mediation ensures that a positive foundation is laid so the post-divorce relationship can be civil and parents can work together as a team.
• Although court proceedings often require participants to focus on each other's negative characteristics in order to win, mediation emphasizes a focus on resolving present concerns and collaborating on a plan for future interactions that is comfortable for both spouses.
• Ending a marriage is one of the biggest life changes people experience, and it takes a long time to settle in to a new lifestyle.
• The process of rebuilding is further complicated when former spouses have to recover from the anguish of an angry court battle.
• The financial ramifications of significant attorney expenses can ruin the financial future of either or both people and dramatically extend the recovery period.
• Trading divorce lawyers in for skilled mediators is a proven first step in creating a secure post-divorce future.