Mediation has made its way through New York State as a mainstream, generally accepted way for couples to come to consensus about the terms of their divorce. Most matrimonial courts now encourage divorcing parties to consider mediation before moving forward with litigation. This shift has benefits for both the courts and the divorcing parties.

As a powerful form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), mediation allows couples to chart their own course at the end of their marriage rather than having their futures decided by a stranger whose decisions are limited by law and precedent.