Couples in Pennsylvania who have decided to end their marriage might opt to reach a divorce settlement through mediation. When couples are willing to collaborate on resolving their issues, with the assistance of a mediator, they find many benefits that will not only let them keep some control and protect their privacy but might help them both in the future, especially if they will be co-parenting their children.
Emotional benefits
Even in an amicable divorce, the end of the marriage involves many complex emotions that might sometimes make it hard to communicate. These overwhelming emotions can cloud decision-making and complicate a divorce even more. However, mediation offers couples a chance to work together to resolve their issues and reach an agreement for their divorce settlement. The mediator, who is a neutral third party, encourages couples to communicate and be honest, providing each with a platform to present their positions while they find common ground that will lead them to resolve issues.
Family benefits
Choosing mediation can also provide many benefits to the family in general. These include:
- Modeling cooperative behavior for the children, showing that parents, even after a divorce, can work together
- Shielding the children from court appearances during a trial
- Teaching the spouses to communicate better, which can help them as they co-parent their children in the future
Financial benefits
The mediation process can help make the divorce proceed much faster. This translates to a less costly divorce. These financial benefits can help each spouse as they plan their life post-divorce, particularly when there are already so many other costs involved.
The mediation process is usually voluntary. However, it is not an option for all couples. If there is a history of abuse, the conflicts between the couple are too severe or one of the spouses is not willing to be honest with all their information, mediation is not a good choice.