Only about 5% of divorce cases ever go to trial. In some states, like Oklahoma, both sides in a divorce case must attend a domestic mediation. LaCourse Law looks at how having your divorce mediated might work better for you than a trial.
Trials last a long time and are expensive.
Mediation can shorten the amount of time needed to settle a divorce. It’s also cheaper than a trial. Many couples also find mediation less stressful, because they have a say in any decisions that are made. At a divorce trial, a judge makes the final decisions.
You don’t even have to stay in the same room as your soon-to-be-ex-spouse. The mediator goes from room to room during the mediation process. The mediator is an attorney that is not employed by you or your ex. All the mediator needs to do is see if there is any way an agreement between you and your ex can be reached.
When you go to trial, records are kept of everything said, unless a judge asks for statements to be stricken from the record. In mediation, everything said is confidential. The mediator is legally forbidden to mention anything you talked about to your ex.
