A consideration is being made in the United Kingdom to mandate collaboration before a couple can go through with a divorce. Requiring a pre-separation meeting that would assess the couple's filing and give them information on the collaboration process, the new divorce mediation proposal could be enacted sooner rather than later.

We talked about the ins and outs of divorce mediation on this blog last month. It can be a nice alternative route when filing for divorce that reduces the amount of stress on the splitting parties and can even foster a cooperative atmosphere when handling the delicate family issues involved in a divorce proceeding.

This potential move could be the start of a new trend that favors divorce mediation over traditional methods of dealing with a separation. Will the trend cross the pond and see legal enactment here in the U.S.? It is possible but in the meantime divorce mediation is a good option for separating couples who are looking for a potentially more amicable divorce process.

The proposal in the U.K. may also include parental agreements to bolster a child's rights and abilities to maintain relationships with both of their parents. The yet-to-be enacted law will make exceptions for cases of domestic violence where the couple will not have to go through divorce mediation meetings.

With alimony reform in full swing here in the U.S. - including pending legislation here in Florida - it seems there is a movement to modernize family law. This potential law in the United Kingdom will put a spotlight on the merits and methods involved in divorce mediation, and this collaborative process could see increased popularity.

Source: UK Daily Mail, "Separating couples 'will have to go to mediation' before being granted divorce," James Chapman, Feb. 7, 2012