Now that you're going through a divorce, you've probably given a lot of thought about a settlement. You might have even given some thought to what you're willing to give so that you can get what you want. Your attorney may have discussed mediation with you. Before you say no to mediation, take a look at how it may benefit you.

Less Expensive Than a Trial

Sitting down with a mediator can save you hundreds of dollars on your legal fees, especially if you only need a couple of sessions to iron out the details. Your attorney won't go with you to the appointments, which means that you won't be paying those hourly fees. You also won't be paying for the court time. To keep your legal fees under control, you owe it to yourself to attempt mediation.

More Relaxed than a Courtroom

Courtrooms can be intimidating. You'll be sitting in front of a judge who will be determining what you're allowed to retain from the marriage. Before you put your settlement in the hands of the judge, you and your spouse might want to try and work out an amicable agreement in a more relaxed environment. The mediator will help you come to an agreement that benefits both of you.

Speedier Than a Trial

If you live in a state or county where the courts are backlogged, you may be looking at a considerable amount of time before your case goes to trial. In extreme cases, you may be looking at more than a year's wait. You don't want to put your life on hold while you wait for a court date. When you work with a mediator, you can have your settlement worked out as soon as you reach an agreement. How fast the process goes will depend on how quickly you and your spouse can reach an agreement, not on how busy the courts are.

Protects Your Privacy

The minute your case goes to trial, virtually everything that is said in the courtroom becomes public record. Anyone who wants to sit in the courtroom will be able to hear the intimate details of your marriage. Working with a mediator will allow you maintain your privacy, because nothing that is discussed in mediation is ever made public.

You want your divorce to go as smoothly as possible. You also want to get what you deserve out of the settlement. If you and your spouse are still communicating effectively, mediation may be the best option for both of you. Click here for more information.