Divorce mediation is a way for divorcing spouses to work out an agreement in a way that is favorable to both parties. Unlike a traditional courtroom, in divorce mediation, both spouses meet with a neutral attorney who is trained to mediate. He or she helps the parties identify legal issues and develop settlement terms. This includes discussing issues of debt distribution, asset division, and custody and child support.
The length of the mediation session depends on the complexity of the issues that the parties have to resolve. For example, couples who have worked out most of their issues prior to mediation may only need to settle one sticking point. Other couples might choose to use mediation only for certain issues, such as spousal support or child custody.