When the marriage ends, there’s an often overlooked and easier way to avoid court. Try mediation instead, says Alan Plevy, principal at SmolenPlevy in Vienna, Virginia. From child custody and property distribution to alimony and joint financial accounts, a divorce requires a lot of hard decisions. A trained mediator can help a divorcing couple make choices that fit their own needs and circumstances –instead of handing those decisions over to a court where the result could leave neither party happy.
How Mediation Differs From Litigation
Divorce mediation is a potential alternative to litigation. In mediation, couples meet with a mutually agreed-upon neutral mediator to discuss and resolve the issues in their divorce without court involvement. The mediation process is tailored to the individual needs of the separating couple and helps them reach binding decisions with less time, money, and stress compared to traditional litigation of the divorce in court. A mediator does not provide legal representation to either party, but parties can bring their own legal representation to the mediation meetings.
Why Mediation Can Be a Better Option for Couples
The goal of mediation is simple: help separating parties reach a resolution to their issues and stay out of court. Mediation has many benefits including:
- Mediation helps parties avoid the stress and emotional upheaval of litigation.
- It is typically faster than litigation, since it doesn’t depend on the court to conduct a trial.
- Meetings can be flexible and take place with the parties in person, via Zoom, or even over the phone.
- If a divorcing couple has children, mediation can set a positive and less contentious tone that protects children from further family upset.
Contact A Trained Mediator
If you want more information about mediation services in Virginia, contact Alan Plevy.
About the Author
Alan Plevy
Alan Plevy is a recognized force in family law, mediation and litigation, with more than 40 years as one of the most experienced divorce lawyers in Virginia. Mr. Plevy is known for being a tenacious litigator and negotiator who is zealously devoted to his clients. A top legal publication, Virginia Lawyer Weekly, noted Mr. Plevy’s impact on the law when it named two cases he litigated among its Top Five Landmark Family Law Cases in Virginia. Those two cases, which date back to the 1980s, are still regularly cited by attorneys and courts.
