Divorce is never pleasant for either party to the action and can be very expensive when the parties cannot agree on the terms of the divorce. In a contested divorce quite often even mediation does not offer the solution either party is seeking so it becomes necessary to either resort to arbitration or pay the additional expense of going to court and allowing a judge to make the decision.
The Advantages of an Arbitration Divorce vs. a Contested Divorce
When a couple cannot agree to the terms of a divorce—or worse, one party is not willing to commit to dissolving the marriage—it can become very expensive and time-consuming. Even in states where no fault divorce is the standard reason for divorce, if one party feels they are the victim and doesn’t want the divorce or feels they were wronged so severely they deserve to walk away from the marriage with everything, things can get very complicated. A contested divorce can delay a final decree for months—or even years—and add an exorbitant cost to the filing and attorney’s fees.
Is an Arbitration Divorce the Right Decision for You?
There are a number of advantages to choosing an arbitration divorce rather than allowing your case to go into court where it is likely to take months before a judge will even hear your divorce complaint. Even when you and your spouse are unable to reach a mutual agreement, an arbitration divorce will take less time and cost less money than a contested divorce. While in some cases mediation may help the couple reach an agreement, it does not work for everyone. The arbitrator files his decision in court, and it is just as legal and binding as an order the judge signs. You still need the advice of a lawyer, but it is not necessary for you and your spouse to have separate lawyers since the final decision in an arbitration divorce will come from the arbitrator.
Legal Consultation
If you are contemplating an arbitration divorce, you still want to talk to a lawyer to make sure you make the right decision and do not walk away from the marriage with less than you deserve. You will still pay less and spend less time than you would if you allowed it to go into court as a contested divorce. Make sure you know your rights and responsibilities before you schedule an appointment for an arbitration divorce.
