Going through a divorce is one of the most painful events a couple can experience. The division of assets, debts, and time with one’s children is stressful and emotional. Rather than await their fate in the New York Supreme Court, many couples have taken control over the outcome of their case by using divorce mediation. During divorce mediation, the parties are able to create their own settlement, which will become part of their New York judgment of divorce.
Mediation is a much more relaxed process than a trial. During mediation, the parties meet with a third party neutral, called a mediator, to discuss their case. The mediator helps the parties compromise and figure out ways to settle their disagreements. Mediation requires no testimony, no court reporters, and no formal presentation of evidence. Instead, the parties and the mediator discuss the case in a conversational manner, usually in attorney conference rooms. In most cases, the parties meet privately with the mediator to go over the dispute.
Although mediation is not a formal proceeding, the parties may bring any evidence they wish for the mediator to consider. The parties may provide the mediator with text messages, emails, Facebook posts, bank statements, employment records, and any other items that they feel are relevant to the case.
Mediation will probably cost a few thousand dollars, but these expenses are a fraction of what a New York trial would incur. Ultimately, mediation offers the parties a much cheaper, less stressful method of finalizing their divorce.
