A lot of people assume that a divorce has to be a drawn out battle. However, it doesn’t always have to be that way. Couples looking to solve their differences in an amicable manner may find that divorce mediation is best for them.

Divorce mediation is often a much more efficient process. It also tends to be more cost-effective. People are often reassured by the fact that their family matters remain private through divorce mediation.

More people over the age of 50 are divorcing, and some of them may find divorce mediation as a good alternative to a traditional divorce. Often, couples who are divorcing later in life have been married for a significant amount of time. They may not be interested in battling the person they have shared most of their life with. In addition, they may be looking to protect their finances as they near retirement.

A study by the National Center for Family and Marriage Research found that the divorce rate among people 50 and older doubled between 1990 and 2010. The reason for the increase in divorce among people over the age of 50 may be a result of a variety of factors. For one, people view marriage differently than they did decades ago, and divorce is now more acceptable. In addition, women who have careers may feel comfortable taking care of themselves.

People may need to focus on different things when they divorce later in life. For instance, there may be bigger concerns about retirement savings and health insurance. These kinds of matters may be best dealt with through mediation.

Source: Chicago Tribune, “Post-50 divorce rate doubled in 20 years,” Leslie Mann, Feb. 27, 2013