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Mediation and collaboration continue to be the catching trend when considering divorce. According to ex-judge, Judge Roderic Duncan, "Going to court isn't efficient. It's way to costly, it takes too much time of everyone involved, and it creates stress and discord between people. If it's a discord between husband and wife, that happens, but if there are children involved, that discord spills over to them and that's just not fair."

The average cost of a "contentious divorce" these days can run about $100,000 in legal fees, with some extreme cases reported to have risen into the $500,000 range. And in the end, the majority of the apparent winners settled saying they didn't get what they wanted.

In reaction to these escalating costs and often unfulfilling outcomes, many courts and individuals have started taking a more evolved approach to separating through collaborative divorce and mediation.

In a city infamous for judicial delays, Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye announced a plan to create a new family law center in Manhattan which will be designed to help expedite the divorce process and make it cheaper for those that have resigned to call it quits and part ways amicably.

Despite some criticism from lawyers who say the practice has limited appeal because many people want to retain the threat of going to court while negotiating, this alternative approach to divorce makes so much sense and has been catching on throughout the rest of the country.

Dealing with the emotional weight of divorce can be incredibly overwhelming even for the strongest survivor. But it's effects are exaggerated even more when you don't have the right information. Add to that the financial burdens incurred, and it's enough to cause any number of personal meltdowns. Information is key to dealing with any kind of fear, worry or stress. If you're armed with the right information, you can often deal with things more intelligently and effectively and avoid the stress and anxiety that comes with the unknown. Arm yourself and find out more on Dealing with the Financial Impact of Divorce.