Regardless whether the divorce is acrimonious or uncontested, each leaves mediation with a sense of being in control of his or her own future; children are not traumatized by the process and each spouse maintains dignity and self-determination. Ending long-term relationships is never easy. Such an eventuality is rarely planned; parties are emotionally overwrought, hurt and anxious. There is fear and uncertainty. More often than not, there is considerable anger. Husbands and wives in the throes of divorce customarily have great difficulty maintaining discipline in their lives as they struggle with stress and lack of sleep. How ironic it is that at this point in your life where you are at your absolute worst, you are expected to effectively make some of the largest and most important financial decisions you have ever made in your life. Frequently, one of the parties is far more prepared and emotionally ready for the divorce, as they were the party that initiated. If you are in the unfortunate position of being unprepared for divorce, sadly it may take years before you finally absorb the full effect of what transpired. And, often times, the financial damage at that point has long since been done and bankruptcy becomes the only option. Much of this damage can be avoided when the two parties are willing to at least try to work together to craft a divorce agreement that will work for their particular situation. The option of lawyer initiated litigation will always be there for you, but why not at least try to maintain control of your own life?