Couples who are going through a divorce in New Hampshire have a lot of decisions to make, and one of the first ones is how to proceed with the divorce. The ideal situation is when both sides come to a mutual agreement about how to divide things and where each will live, but this is rare. Most couples either choose to go through divorce mediation or fight it out in court, and there are factors to consider before making a decision about which route to take.
Money Crashers discusses the benefits of divorce mediation. Mediation uses a neutral third party to negotiate terms of the agreement, and it typically is less costly and a shorter process than litigation. It also usually improves the couple’s ability to communicate and is less stressful.
While mediation is a popular choice, it is not for everyone. It is best for couples who agree that divorce is the right decision and are able to negotiate major decisions, such as asset and debt division, child custody, living situations and spousal alimony, in an amicable manner.
Life Hacker outlines some situations in which court litigation is a better choice. Some signs that a couple should avoid mediation include:
- There was abuse or addiction in the marriage
- One partner is controlling or violent
- One spouse is unable to speak up for what he or she wants
- Neither side is willing to communicate or negotiate
- One spouse is unsure of shared and individual assets/debt
- One spouse is revengeful or narcissistic
Going through a divorce is stressful and major decisions are being made, so it is imperative couples make the right choice to make sure each side ends up with a fair agreement.
