Choosing mediation doesn’t lock you out of litigation.
But choosing litigation often makes mediation much harder later.

The path you choose depends on your circumstances but understanding the difference early can mean the difference between rebuilding your life strategically or recovering from unnecessary damage later.

Accepting a spouse's "poverty" at face value before you even file can cost you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of a support order. Peace comes from knowing that the law doesn't just look at what a person is doing—it looks at what they are capable of doing.

If you don't know which rule applies to you, you are gambling with your net worth. Knowing the "fairness" factors in your state allows you to negotiate from a position of fact, not fantasy.