If your marriage is coming to an end, you're probably ready to just move on, and you want to do whatever you can to do just that. However, when you're looking at legally ending a marriage, there's a lot that's interconnected there. You'll have a lot of decisions to make, and you may be wondering if you're better off to go to court or to work with a mediator. Here are a few things you should know about both:

Why Do You Need Either One?

The fact is that with any divorce, no matter how amicable, there are a lot of decisions to make and things to settle. From the separation of assets to handling taxes, the little things need to be clarified. Not to mention the fact that there are considerations about child custody, alimony, and more. It's essential that you have everything clearly defined in your divorce settlement, whether you do it on your own or you have to enlist help from the court.

What Can The Mediator Do?

A mediator can serve as a neutral party to help you and your spouse resolve any lingering issues as part of your divorce. Whether you're struggling with settling up assets or you have other decisions to make, the mediator can help. Typically, the mediator is an attorney or someone similar. They'll gather you and your spouse in a neutral location to discuss the situation and help you find a resolution.

The biggest difference between mediation and traditional court hearings is that a mediator will not tell you what to do. They will not make any decisions for you. They will merely facilitate the discussion and help you find a mutually agreeable solution. This can make the process less stressful and easier to manage.

What Happens In Court?

If you decide that you don't want to work with the mediator, you'll have to take the dispute to a court hearing. In that case, you'll appear in front of the judge, both state your case, and the judge will be the one to make the final decision. Whatever is determined in that courtroom will be what you have to abide by, as it will be a court order. If you can't come to a resolution through mediation, this is the final settlement option, but some people opt to skip mediation and allow the court to just make the decisions from the start.

Contact a law office like Begley Carlin & Mandio LLP for more information and assistance.