50 years of Research: Why Mediation is the Smart Choice

Approximately 40% of divorces are without minor children. Generally, spouses either have no children, or have adult children. Even without children, divorce is a complex journey. You and your spouse navigate emotional challenges, divide assets, and build separate lives. The most critical decision you’ll face is how to handle the divorce process itself: litigation or mediation. This choice will dramatically affect the cost, speed, and overall tone of your divorce.

Aurit Mediation has helped countless couples, with and without children, find a better path forward. They’ve seen firsthand how mediation offers a more efficient, cost-effective, and dignified way to divorce. Rather than giving up control to the court system, a healthy divorce mediation approach empowers both spouses to take charge and work together toward a respectful resolution.

Why Mediation Is the Smarter Choice for a Healthy Divorce

Divorce is rarely easy, but the process doesn’t have to be a battle. For couples without children, the best path to a healthy, respectful separation is divorce mediation. The research is clear: mediation consistently delivers superior outcomes, helping you move forward with grace and financial stability.

Here are the key advantages that make mediation the smarter, more compassionate choice.

Significantly Lower Costs

One of the most immediate and tangible benefits of mediation is its ability to save you money. Litigation can quickly become a financial black hole, with two separate attorneys charging for every email, phone call, and court appearance. This can easily escalate to tens of thousands of dollars.

According to a study conducted by Emery et al. (2005), mediation leads to lower overall costs, faster settlements, higher party satisfaction, reduced emotional impact, and more amicable post-divorce relationships compared to traditional litigation.

With mediation, you and your spouse share the cost of a single, neutral professional who guides you through the process. Since there are no custody evaluations or child support calculations, the process is even more efficient, allowing you to allocate your resources toward building your new life, not funding an expensive legal fight.

At Aurit Mediation, we believe in transparent pricing. We offer a flat-fee pricing model that covers all your services from start to finish. During your free consultation, we’ll give you a personalized quote so you know exactly what to expect. 

A Faster, More Efficient Process

Litigation can drag on for months, or even years, as you wait for court dates and procedural delays. This prolongs emotional distress and keeps you in a state of uncertainty.

Mediation, however, is a much faster and more efficient path. By focusing directly on property division and spousal support in a collaborative environment, we can often resolve even complex financial issues within weeks or months. This allows you to focus on moving forward and starting your next chapter.

Higher Satisfaction and More Control

Divorce doesn’t have to mean giving up control. Research shows that people who choose mediation are more satisfied with both the process and the outcome. This is because you and your spouse are in the driver’s seat — you decide your divorce terms, not a Judge.

Research from Popov (2025) found that parties in mediation have more control over outcomes, creating customized solutions, and that mediation is more private than litigation.

You have the power to create creative solutions that reflect your unique lives and priorities, rather than having a judge impose decisions based on rigid legal rules. This sense of agency is incredibly valuable and helps ensure you both feel heard and respected.

A Kinder, Less Adversarial Approach

Litigation is inherently designed for conflict, with each attorney advocating fiercely against the other. This adversarial approach can create deep wounds and lasting resentment.

Mediation takes a fundamentally different approach. We see you not as opponents, but as partners who share a common goal: ending your marriage respectfully and efficiently. This collaborative framework significantly reduces the emotional toll of divorce and helps you both preserve your dignity.

Preserving Amicable Relationships

Even without co-parenting responsibilities, many couples still want to maintain an amicable connection, especially if they share friends, family, or professional networks. The adversarial nature of litigation often makes this impossible. A study by Shaw (2010) found that mediation results in higher party satisfaction and promotes more amicable post-divorce relationships.

Mediation’s collaborative approach fosters the communication and mutual respect needed to maintain a healthy post-divorce relationship. Many of our clients are able to continue sharing social circles and navigating their new lives without the lingering animosity that litigation often creates.

Greater Flexibility and Control Over Outcomes

Courts operate within strict legal frameworks and established precedents, which can limit their ability to craft creative solutions for unique situations. Mediation, however, allows you to think outside the box and develop arrangements that truly work for your specific circumstances.

For example, you might agree to an unconventional property division that reflects your individual contributions and future needs, or you might create a spousal support arrangement that accounts for career transitions or educational goals. These customized solutions are often more sustainable and satisfying than court-imposed orders.

Enhanced Confidentiality and Privacy

Court proceedings are a matter of public record. For many, this public exposure of their personal and financial lives can be a significant concern.

Mediation is entirely confidential. You can discuss sensitive matters openly and honestly, knowing that what is said will not be used against you or made public. This privacy encourages open communication and helps you reach a more effective agreement.

Deeper Insights into the Power of Mediation

Beyond the clear financial and logistical benefits, mediation offers a transformative experience. It’s an opportunity to build skills and confidence for your future. The process naturally fosters direct, respectful communication between you and your spouse, empowering you to solve problems together—a skill that will serve you both well long after the divorce is finalized.

Mediation is less stressful. Instead of spending months preparing for contentious court battles, you can focus your energy on productive, direct negotiation. A skilled and supportive mediator will be there to guide you, keeping discussions on track and helping you navigate even complex financial situations, such as dividing significant assets. This collaborative approach allows for a thorough exploration of all your options, leading to comprehensive solutions that provide both immediate relief and long-term financial security.

Is Mediation the Right Choice for You?

While mediation is an excellent fit for most spouses, we believe in being honest about its limitations. It is effective when both people are willing to participate in good faith, are open to honest financial disclosure, and are committed to finding mutually beneficial solutions.

While mediation is incredibly successful in almost all cases, including those with significant power imbalances, it may not be suitable if one person is completely unwilling to negotiate or compromise.

The best way to find out if mediation is right for your unique situation is to talk to an expert. We invite you and your spouse to a free one-hour consultation with one of our mediators. They will explain the law, walk you through the process, and answer all your questions. Together, you can explore how to reach creative and unique agreements that truly work for you.

Our Professional Conclusions and Insights 

After decades of helping spouses navigate divorce, we’ve seen firsthand how the process can either empower or destroy them. The research on mediation is compelling, but it only tells part of the story. The true power of mediation, especially for spouses without children, isn’t just in the data—lower costs, faster resolution—but in the profound personal transformation it facilitates.

When spouses without children choose divorce, they face a unique freedom: they aren’t bound by the necessity of a parenting plan. Divorcing without kids can lead some to believe that they can afford to be more adversarial. But I’ve seen this strategy backfire spectacularly. A contentious, litigated divorce doesn’t just eventually divide assets; it can damage important relationships and cause severe emotional harm, compromising the quality of your life.

Our most powerful conclusion is this: choosing mediation isn’t just a practical decision; it’s a deeply personal one that reflects your values. It’s a choice to stay true to yourself and build a respectful new future rather than dwelling on a painful past. It is an investment in your own emotional well-being and a recognition that a respectful end to your marriage is the most valuable asset of all.

As mediators, we have seen spouses walk into our office feeling broken and leave with a renewed sense of hope and a clear path forward. They realize that they can write their own ending—one that is both fair and deeply meaningful to them. It’s the difference between a divorce that simply ends a marriage and a divorce that truly allows you to begin a new life.