1. Is most often faster and cheaper than divorce litigation
  1. Strives for comprehensive, enduring settlements, not court battles
  1. Lessens the impact of divorce on children
  1. Preserves confidentiality
  1. Decreases the level of conflict between spouses
  1. Places importance on preserving family relationships
  1. Ascertains and deals with the interests and concerns of both spouses
  1. Assists couples, going through divorce, with preserving a feeling of honor and respect
  1. Helps divorcing spouses to communicate with each other
  1. Allows couples to determine the terms of their divorces, instead of judges