Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Smoothen the divorce process via mediation

Even for those married couples with a longstanding history of conflict, a mediation may be the best option for a cost-efficient and less adversarial divorce outside from the courtroom.

According to a study of marital conflict conducted by the University of Michigan, divorce disputes typically reflect "fight styles", displaying lashing and sometimes aggressive behaviors. Such actions during the relationship can result in more complications during divorce proceeding.

“A couple that fights constantly during a marriage will struggle find agreements through a heated divorce. This only makes for a long, highly contested battle in the courtroom,” said one attorney who practices family law in Raleigh.

“However, disputes in court accumulate legal fees very quickly." the attorney added “One of the best approaches to avoid the courtroom and the subsequent fees is to pursue mediation. Mediation can be a more sound and peaceful method to marital separation.”

The study conducted by the University of Michigan analyzed how varying patterns of conflict in a relationship can affect a marriage over time. One example correlates higher rate of divorce among couples in which one spouse engaged in “constructive” behavior while the other spouse “withdrew.”

On the other end of the spectrum, constructive strategies introduced by both spouses of a couple had lower divorce rates.

"It is couples of the latter who would experience a smoother divorce process,” the Raleigh family lawyer said. “Not to say that other types of couples face more rigid separations, however we witness the correlation day in and day out. Mediation provides the optimal solution for all types of marriages."

In short, the process of mediation involves a neutral third-party who helps facilitate agreements - like equitable distribution of marital assets, child support, and child custody - among both spouses and their attorneys. The objective is to seek a common ground for agreement and to reach a fair settlement based on the sum of those agreements.

“Mediation helps to diminish tension throughout the process as both sides work together to resolve their issues." said one of the top lawyers at the Raleigh firm.

Absolute divorce can be a stressful event for all parties involved. “That is why it is so critical seek the legal help of an experienced Raleigh lawyer who can discover solutions through methods like mediation." said the family law expert.

The attorney concluded by saying "Married couples are splitting up, and much more often that old days. It seems like much of our practice today has been dedicated to family and domestic law issues."

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