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There’s a certain stigma attached to divorce that makes it seem as though all marital splits involve contentious, drawn-out court battles. However, not only is that not a true statement, many Washington spouses are able to achieve satisfactory settlements without ever stepping foot into a courtroom. The answer for some is divorce mediation. The process is definitely not one-size-fits-all, though, so anyone considering litigation alternatives should speak to someone experienced in it before determining whether it is the best court of action in a particular circumstance.

Mediation is considered one form of alternative dispute resolution. Some spouses choose this method of negotiation themselves because they want to stay out of court and achieve fair settlements in the swiftest, least expensive manner possible. At other times, the court may, for various reasons, order spouses to mediate.

When spouses agree to finalize their divorce through mediation, each spouse retains his or her own legal representation. During every session, a neutral third party is also present in order to act as the mediator. His or her job is to facilitate focused discussions and to help spouses find common ground upon which they can build a fair and satisfactory settlement.

If spouses choose to mediate in Washington, then find the process is not working, they may wind up going to court instead. The same attorney that has represented a spouse in the mediation process would know what steps to take to submit a petition for litigation as well. By researching litigation alternatives ahead of time and learning more about how to protect one’s rights, a spouse can find achievable solutions to divorce-related problems and move toward a new, happy lifestyle.
