Divorcing couples in Tennessee may want to consider an option that many should be aware of, but far too little use. That option is mediation, and it has the ability to make the divorce process much less painful, both emotionally and financially.
Many experts agree that mediation is better for a couple than heading directly to divorce court. While emotions can run high in both situations, conflict is far more likely when a couple is hashing out its agreement in court.
One of the things that make some experts believe that mediation is better is that it is overseen by lawyers who specialize in the process of divorce. This allows them to better understand what can cause conflict to arise. Through this understanding, the situation can be addressed appropriately and another session can be scheduled so that tempers do not flare up.
In an example of mediation, two mediators were sitting with a couple, overseeing the discussion of their finances. They had spent more than an hour addressing the topic but had not agreed with each other for more than 30 minutes. One of the issues with the divorce process -- and the mediation process, for that matter -- is that compromising with a person that you no longer want as a spouse can be exhausting.
Due to this fact, one of the mediators decided that the meeting should end, and the couple agreed. But in mediation the meetings can always resume.
According to some, choosing mediation before court can allow costs to be cut considerably. Instead of having a high-conflict divorce case, most of the decisions are already made and the time spent in court is used for the finalizing of a settlement, rather than creating the agreement from scratch.
Source: The Guardian, "A working life: the divorce mediator," Jill Insley, Mar. 9, 2012
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