There are many things to consider when you are heading into a family law matter, not least of which is deciding on mediation versus going to court. Here are some pros and cons of this decision process:
Pros:
-Cost-Effective - Mediation is typically much less expensive than going to court, as there are no costly filing fees, attorney’s fees or court costs associated with it.
-Efficiency - The mediation process is often quicker and more efficient than traditional litigation, allowing disputes to be resolved in a matter of days or weeks, rather than months or years.
-Private and Confidential - Mediation is a private process, allowing parties to reach a resolution without airing their personal disputes in front of the public.
-Flexible Solutions - In mediation, parties have more control over the outcome and can negotiate creative solutions that may not be available in a courtroom.
-Reduced Conflict - Mediation can help reduce the conflict between parties by helping them come to an agreement without involving the court system.
Cons:
-Lack of Enforcement - One downside to mediation is that there is no legal enforcement of any agreements made, meaning that one party may not be held accountable for any promises made during the process.
-Unpredictable Outcomes - Mediation can produce unpredictable outcomes, as a mediator does not have the authority to make binding decisions like a judge would in court.
-Uneven Bargaining Power - The lack of an impartial third party in mediation can lead to an uneven bargaining power between the two parties, further complicating negotiations.
-Limited Representation - While some mediators may provide limited legal advice, most will not be able to represent either party in the dispute, and this can hinder their ability to negotiate a favorable outcome for one or both sides.
-Limited Scope - Mediation can only be used to resolve certain types of family law conflicts, such as child custody and support disputes. It cannot be used for issues like alimony or division of property.
Meason & Ramsey Law provides a professional experience for all our clients, helping them navigate their legal rights. Our focus is criminal law (felony and misdemeanors). We specialize in Criminal Law, Divorce and Family Law, Probate Law. We are currently accepting cases in Washington, Nowata and Osage counties. Meason & Ramsey Law has family lawyers, divorce lawyers, probate lawyers, criminal defense lawyers, DUI & DWI lawyers, co-counsel lawyers, family attorneys, divorce attorneys, probate attorneys, criminal defense attorneys, DUI & DWI attorneys and co-counsel attorneys. Marty Meason and Rodney D. Ramsey, Attorneys
Meason & Ramsey Law
515 Delaware Ave
Bartlesville, OK 74003
918-336-6300