Almost half of all marriages in the country end in divorce, and California is among the states with the highest divorce rates. The end of a marriage signals many changes to come and the very nature of a divorce may cause emotional turbulence and stress to the parties involved.
Moreover, a divorce, through normal channels, may not always have a clean, well settled outcome and can lead to further disputes among the involved parties regarding matters including property division, child custody and spousal support. However, matters related to a divorce may be settled amicably through divorce mediation or other such alternative dispute resolution methods.
There can be many advantages to settling a divorce proceeding through mediation. Playing out a sensitive issue, like divorce, in the courtroom, can stir up resentment and negative feelings in both parties, which may ultimately result in a long-drawn, expensive and emotionally taxing process.
However, divorce mediation is aimed at fostering a comparatively less hostile environment where both parties are encouraged and enabled to reach an outcome that is favorable for both. Moreover, divorce mediation is a private affair wherein a couple can settle their issues away from the public glare, reducing the inherent stress and anxiety a court proceeding brings to the table.
A divorce settled through mediation can allow both parties to exercise a great degree of control over the situation. Instead of a judge calling the shots and making decisions on behalf of the couple, both parties are encouraged to reach a solution favorable for both.
Any person in the Oakland area who is considering divorce, may want to find more information about divorce mediation on our firm’s website.
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