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Is Mediation Right for Me?
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Is Mediation Right for Your Situation?
Divorce mediation works for the vast majority of couples — research shows a 70-80% success rate in reaching full agreements. But it's not right for every situation. Here's what the research says about who benefits most.
Mediation Is a Great Fit When:
- Both parties are willing to participate voluntarily
- Both want a fair outcome, even if they disagree on specifics
- Communication is possible, even if strained
- Both parties are willing to be transparent about finances
- Both can advocate for themselves or have counsel to help
- Children are involved and a co-parenting relationship is needed
Mediation May Not Be Appropriate When:
- Active domestic violence or coercive control — safety must come first
- One party is hiding assets or being financially dishonest
- Severe power imbalance — one party cannot advocate for themselves
- Active substance abuse impacting judgment or safety
- One party refuses to participate or negotiate in good faith
- Active protective orders that haven't been modified
What the Research Shows
- Dr. Robert Emery's 12-year study found that families who mediated had dramatically better outcomes: 28% of nonresident parents saw their children weekly at 12-year follow-up, compared to just 9% of those who litigated
- Mediated agreements have higher compliance rates than court-imposed orders because both parties helped create the terms
- Approximately 90% of divorces settle before trial — most couples can reach agreement with the right support
- Mediation costs $3,000-$8,000 total compared to $15,000-$50,000+ for litigation
Not Sure Yet?
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