Reasons for Divorce
Why use Divorce Mediation?
Nobody loves the idea of divorce. We go into a marriage with high hopes and dreams, but those dreams are often unrealized. Currently, over 50% of the marriages in the United States end in divorce. The numbers of divorces here in PA were decreasing until the pandemic hit. Now, most states are reporting significant increase in domestic violence. Additionally, relationships experiencing problems are likely being stressed to the point of breaking by factors such as the lockdown, financial strain, and political discord. All these factors can end a marriage of any length — even some that were thought to be stable.
Divorce mediation is not new. Once states started to provide no-fault divorces, mediators offered a way to make the process less litigious, more cooperative, and less stressful for couples and their children alike. Back in the day, most couples needed to present grounds in court for a judge to grant a divorce. We all have horror stories about these types of proceedings and, for some, lasting trauma. The list of marital misconduct is not lengthy, but it’s certainly meaty and probably includes most of the 7 sins: adultery, desertion, cruel and barbarous treatment, bigamy, imprisonment for a crime, and other indignities.
Today, we have a less-contentious form of divorce based on no-fault grounds, which simply states that the marriage is irretrievably broken. We can skip all the “whys” and get right to the “what-nows?” There are plenty of places to get help with your DIY divorce. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides a packet you can fill out, and can even file, on your own. The packet is extensive, so it can be helpful to have someone with experience walk you through it — even when the divorce is amicable.
Divorcing couples fight. That’s part of the reason they are ending their marriage. This is where mediation comes in. Trained divorce mediators know that couples have the same fight over and over, and can’t seem to get past it. We can listen and help them identify their most important issues and make informed decisions, at their own pace, that are tailored to their family’s needs.
The process is fairly simple: schedule an appointment with us, download your packet from the Adams County Court of Common Pleas, gather all your financial information, and meet with your spouse and a mediator. Sometimes we have a team of mediators, and we also have Spanish-speaking mediators.
We’ll grind out the issues together in great detail, then we will write the memorandum of understanding that will be attached to the packet you file with the court. Then you’ll execute your separation agreement, file your paperwork with the court, and wait for your divorce to be approved.
Divorce doesn’t have to be a drag. We can make it easier on your family.
Patti Robinson