For some people, the specter of divorce is enough to keep them up all night. After all, no one waits for the discovery disputes, court hearings and financial discord with bated breath. And this is before all of the emotional toil that comes with a crumbling relationship. For these reasons, some people may see divorce as a death sentence.

Nevertheless, divorcees do not have to endure such pain. Instead of waging the traditional court battles, divorcing parties can choose mediation as a way to reach productive resolutions while dissolving their marriages.

For those unfamiliar with mediation, it is a form of alternative dispute resolution where a neutral third party (the mediator) works with the couple to find solutions to issues that will work for both parties. The mediator is not in the position to tell either party who is right and who is wrong. Rather, he or she helps the parties understand what the law allows and what the couple can do to reach an accord.

In fact, there are two important reasons why mediation may work for you.

Cheaper than traditional litigation – Parties are not beholden to a discovery schedule or are required to prepare for trial, which can be very expensive. In fact, some divorces can be resolved with one mediation session.

Relationships are preserved – Divorcing couples are never quite the same after going through a divorce trial. Mediation can help them avoid the permanent scars that can come with protracted litigation.

Of course, the benefits of mediation cannot be realized unless both parties are willing to set aside personal differences and invest time into the process. If you have further questions about mediation, a family law attorney can help.