Traditionally, couples seeking to dissolve their marriage face a demanding, expensive, and time-consuming litigation process. However, nowadays, couples have been afforded the option of pursuing alternative methods, such as mediation. In today’s society, more and more couples are choosing mediation to avoid litigation, as it can save them a considerable amount of time and money. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, traditional divorce proceedings may not be the most suitable course of action. That said, it’s in your best interest to consider divorce mediation, which offers numerous benefits, including protecting your financial interests. If you wish to learn more about divorce mediation, consider our Bristol County Divorce and Family Mediation services, which can help you work through your marital issues and reach a fair agreement. Please continue reading to learn how mediation can benefit your finances during a Massachusetts divorce.
What is Divorce Mediation?
Mediation is a type of alternative dispute resolution method in which spouses come together during a series of sessions with a neutral third-party mediator to discuss their marital issues and work towards an agreement on the terms that will apply to the termination of their marriage. During sessions, the mediator will facilitate communication in discussing all the issues associated with the divorce, including property division, child custody arrangements, and spousal and child support payments. Divorcing couples often choose mediation because it’s faster, less expensive, and less contentious than the traditional divorce process. However, both parties must be willing to compromise and cooperate for optimal results.
How Can Divorce Mediation Help Me Safeguard My Finances in Massachusetts?
When couples undergo divorce mediation rather than litigation, they automatically protect their finances. One of the most contentious issues during a divorce is the division of marital property. With a traditional divorce, the court has full authority over the division of marital assets. Massachusetts is an equitable distribution state, which means a couple’s marital assets will be divided fairly, not necessarily in an equal 50/50 split. If the court finds it just, they can award one spouse a larger share of the couple’s marital assets. With divorce mediation, both parties retain complete power over how their marital assets are divided.
Often, divorcing parties are hesitant to choose divorce mediation because they believe the mediator has the final say over their decisions regarding property distribution. However, that’s not the case. The mediator is only there to help couples resolve their disputed issues to reach a mutual agreement on the terms that will apply to the termination of their marriage. Ultimately, divorce mediation can help couples have complete authority over the division of their marital property, enabling them to protect their hard-earned assets.
If you’re facing a divorce, please don’t hesitate to contact the legal team at The Law Offices of Cynthia L. Hanley, P.C., who can help you determine whether divorce mediation is right for your specific needs.
