The end of a marriage is an emotionally charged and challenging time. When you add the complexities of the legal system, the process of separation and divorce can become overwhelming and destructive. Traditional court litigation often magnifies conflict and drains financial resources, leaving lasting scars on the entire family.
Fortunately, there is a better way. Myrtle Beach Divorce Mediation offers a positive, affordable, and constructive alternative for resolving divorce disputes. This guide will explore the advantages of divorce mediation in Myrtle and explain why it is a sensible path for most couples. By choosing divorce mediation, you can retain control over your future, protect your finances, and preserve a more amicable relationship for the sake of your children.
Understanding the High Cost of Divorce Litigation
Before exploring the alternative, it is important to understand what you can expect from a traditional, court-driven divorce process. The financial and emotional tolls are often far greater than most people anticipate.
The Financial Drain of Litigation
In an adversarial court process, each party hires their own divorce attorney. While legal representation is crucial in many scenarios, this setup immediately creates a significant financial burden. Consider the hourly rates: a typical divorce attorney in Myrtle Beach or elsewhere in South Carolina may charge between $250 and $350 per hour. With both sides paying their respective lawyers, the combined hourly cost to the couple can range from $500 to $700, or even more.
Furthermore, most attorneys require a substantial upfront retainer fee before they will even begin working on a case. These retainers can run into thousands of dollars and are quickly depleted by phone calls, emails, document preparation, and court appearances. The longer the conflict continues, the higher the final bill becomes, eroding the assets you both worked hard to build.
The Emotional Toll of an Adversarial System
The family court system is, by its nature, adversarial. It pits one spouse against the other, framing the situation as a battle to be won. This process often amplifies any existing animosity. Couples who may have started with a degree of civility can find themselves in a deeply bitter and resentful state by the end of litigation.
This heightened conflict is especially damaging when children are involved. The bitterness between parents rarely stays contained; it inevitably spills over and affects the children, who may feel caught in the middle. The emotional fallout from a contentious divorce can have long-lasting negative impacts on a child’s well-being and their relationship with both parents.
A Better Path Forward:
Divorce Mediation | Divorce Without Court
Divorce mediation in Myrtle Beach offers a starkly different approach. It is a process designed to empower you and your spouse to find common ground and craft your own solutions with the help of a neutral third party.
What is Divorce Mediation?
Mediation is an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process where a trained, impartial professional—the mediator—facilitates a structured conversation between the parties. The mediator does not make decisions for you or take sides. Their role is to guide the discussion, manage emotions, and help you and your spouse identify and agree upon resolutions.
Jay Bultz of Myrtle Beach Divorce Mediation is a trained, certified, and experienced mediator with a unique perspective. With over 30 years of experience as a family court trial attorney and more than 20 years as a mediator, he has an intimate understanding of what parties can expect in litigation. This dual experience reinforces his conviction that for most families, mediation is the superior path.
Divorce Mediation | Divorce Without Court
The Advantages of Choosing Mediation
1. Significant Cost Savings
Mediation is a fraction of the cost of litigation. Instead of each party paying a separate lawyer hundreds of dollars per hour, you share the cost of a single mediator. A typical mediator’s rate is between $200 and $250 per hour, which is usually split between the parties. This means your combined cost is significantly lower than paying for two separate attorneys. Additionally, retainers are not typically required for mediation, making it much more accessible financially from the start.
2. A Faster Resolution
Litigated family court cases can be lengthy. It is not uncommon for a contested divorce to take six to eight months for a final resolution. And many disputes can drag on for a year or more. This extended timeline prolongs uncertainty and emotional stress. In contrast, most mediated cases can be resolved in just one or two sessions. Once an agreement is reached, the legal finalization process in court can often be completed in a matter of weeks, allowing you to move forward with your life much sooner.
Divorce Mediation | Divorce Without Court
3. Preserving Amicable Relationships
While you and your spouse do not have to like each other to participate in mediation, the process is designed to be civil and methodical. It encourages cooperation rather than conflict. By working together to find solutions, you avoid the escalating animosity that is common in litigation. This is particularly crucial for co-parenting. Mediation helps you build a foundation for a functional parenting relationship, which is invaluable for your children’s long-term health and happiness.
4. You Retain Control
In court, a judge who knows very little about your family will make final decisions about your life, your finances, and your children. In mediation, you and your spouse are the decision-makers. After all, who knows what is in your best interests—and especially your children’s best interests—better than you do? Divorce Mediation provides the opportunity to create customized agreements that are tailored to your unique circumstances.
Mediation is Now a Required Step in South Carolina
For those who still choose to begin with litigation, it is important to know that you will likely end up in mediation anyway. In South Carolina, all contested cases in Family Court are now required to go to mediation before they can proceed to a trial.
Given this requirement, why not start with mediation? By choosing mediation, you can avoid months of legal battles. And save yourselves from financial ruin, and prevent negative emotions from becoming entrenched. If, for some reason, mediation is unsuccessful, you have not lost anything. The court can still credit your attempt and waive the mandatory mediation requirement, allowing you to proceed with litigation if necessary.
Your Next Step Towards a Peaceful Resolution
The emotional and financial costs of a litigated divorce can be devastating. Myrtle Beach Divorce Mediation provides a more humane, efficient, and affordable alternative. By choosing divorce mediation, you take control of your future and protect your family from the adversarial court process.
If you are facing a separation or divorce in South Carolina, consider mediation as your first option. It is a practical, respectful, and empowered way to navigate one of life’s most difficult transitions.
Contact Jay Bultz at Myrtle Beach Divorce Mediation today to learn more about your divorce options and schedule a consultation. Take the first step towards a resolution that is fair, cost-effective, and focused on the future.
