What You Need to Know When Preparing for Divorce Mediation

 Posted on December 28, 2025 in Family Law

As you prepare to end your marriage, you may be worried that your case will involve heated battles in the courtroom and ongoing arguments with your spouse. However, there are alternatives to divorce litigation that can help you and your spouse resolve your differences faster and more easily.

One such alternative is divorce mediation. This form of alternative dispute resolution is often used by divorcing couples. It allows you and your spouse to work together with the help of a neutral third party to reach solutions. If you are considering divorce mediation, our Lombard divorce attorneys can help. 

10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Divorce Mediation: 

1. Understand the mediator’s role as a neutral professional who guides discussions but does not take sides or make decisions for you.

2. Choose a mediator who regularly handles Illinois divorce cases and understands family law issues.

3. Prepare your financial information in advance. Find your bank statements, tax returns, and income records.

4. Know your goals going into mediation.

5. Manage your emotions and focus on finding solutions.

6. Be willing to compromise. Mediation depends on flexibility and finding common ground.

7. Work with your attorney to understand your rights and review any agreements.

8. Put your children first. Focus on arrangements that support their well-being.

9. Don’t rush the process. Take time to understand each decision before agreeing to it.

10. Make sure you find a good lawyer you can trust.

Common Conflicts that Divorce Mediation Can Help Resolve in Illinois

Parenting Plan Arrangements

In Illinois, parents must create a parenting plan that clearly explains each parent’s decision-making authority and parenting time. Mediation allows parents to talk through these issues while keeping the child’s best interests in focus.

Assets and Debt

Arguments about money are one of the most common reasons people get divorced. Mediation can help spouses divide their assets and debts fairly. A mediator can guide discussions so both parties understand the law and work toward a fair settlement.

Child Support

Child support is another issue divorcing parents often fight about. Both parents are legally required to support their child. But parents often disagree about how much is necessary or even possible. Mediators know how child support is calculated in Illinois. They can help explain the process, helping parents reach an agreement that a judge is likely to approve. 

How Does Mediation Reduce the Stress of Divorce?

Mediation can reduce stress during divorce in many ways:

• The goal is for both parties to reach a compromise. This is contrary to litigation, where each party aims for total victory.

• It typically does not cost as much money as litigation, reducing one of the major stressors of divorce.

• Mediation empowers the parties to take an active part in the divorce process. Instead of waiting for a judge to make a decision, each spouse actively negotiates during the mediation process, which can be empowering and therefore less stressful.

How Mediation Offers More Privacy in a Divorce

Mediation offers more privacy than a court divorce because discussions happen in a private setting instead of a public courtroom. The details of your finances, parenting issues, and personal matters are not entered into the public record. 

This can be especially important for families who want to keep sensitive information confidential. For many people, the added privacy of mediation also makes the divorce process feel less stressful and more respectful.

Do I Need an Attorney for Divorce Mediation? 

Mediators and lawyers have different jobs in a divorce. Some mediators are also attorneys, but they cannot give legal advice or take sides. Their role is to stay neutral and help both people work toward an agreement together. 

A divorce attorney, by contrast, represents only one spouse. An attorney advocates for your interests, gives legal advice, and handles the legal steps needed to finalize a divorce. An attorney cannot represent both spouses, even in an uncontested case.

Your attorney may attend mediation with you if you choose and help you negotiate more confidently. They can also review any agreement before you sign it to make sure it protects you and follows the law.

Is Divorce Litigation or Mediation Better for Me? 

The Centers for Disease Control estimate that over 670,000 divorces are filed every year. The overwhelming majority settle out of court – many estimates say over 90 percent. Mediation is involved in many out-of-court settlements.

However, litigation is still sometimes necessary when spouses cannot agree, when mediation fails, or when there are concerns about hidden assets or unfair conduct. Mediation can work well for amicable or high-asset divorces and for parents who want to reduce conflict. But litigation provides structure and court oversight when disputes cannot be resolved privately.

Contact Our Lombard Divorce Lawyers

If you are planning to use mediation during your divorce, our experienced team at Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices is here to help. We understand divorce and we can give you guidance on how to best resolve your case. 

We will discuss your options and give you the information you need to make informed decisions. Contact our DuPage County divorce attorneys at 630-932-9100 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help.