Do we have to try mediation or counselling before I can apply for a divorce?
You are not legally required to try mediation or counselling, but they can have advantages.Counselling services tend to focus on the emotional side of the break up, and can be particularly useful if one partner wants to get divorced but the other does not. By helping you to understand each other's feelings, counselling may take some of the hostility out of the break-up, making it easier to negotiate an agreement. In some cases, by identifying the underlying problems counselling may encourage you both to give the marriage a second chance.
Mediation involves a skilled mediator helping you and your spouse to negotiate an agreement on issues such as financial arrangements and childcare. A skilled mediator can help you to work together to reach an agreement that you both feel is fair. This may provide a less confrontational approach than communicating through your solicitors from the outset, and can help to reduce your costs.
Whichever approach you take, you should still consult your solicitor before reaching any final agreement.
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