Florida residents know that divorce proceedings can be contentious. They are played out in an adversarial setting before a judge. Couples may fight back and forth, creating a great deal of stress for themselves and their family. But there is an alternative that can resolve the issues that divorce involves while offering couples a more calm environment. That alternative is divorce mediation.

Hollywood celebrity Kim Kardashian has reportedly requested mediation in her divorce from her husband, basketball player Kris Humphries. Kardashian's aim is to keep the divorce as far from the public eye as possible. She does not want the proceeding to occur in court, where the press would be able to record every detail.

Humphries, however, does not appear to want to pursue mediation. Sources suggest that he instead wants to televise the divorce trial so that the public can understand the details of his marriage to Kardashian. Humphries appears to believe that Kardashian's marriage to him was a pretext to boost her show's television ratings. The couple married last fall, and Kardashian filed for divorce only 72 days later.

Mediation can provide privacy if couples desire that. It also has a number of other benefits, including avoiding the expense of divorce litigation. In addition, the compromise that comes from a mediated agreement can reduce a couple's animosity. But for mediation to work effectively, the spouses must be willing to work together. Since the mediator is impartial, the decisions about child custody, support and division of property are ultimately in the hands of the divorcing partners.

Source: CBSNews.com, "Kris Humphries wants to televise divorce: Report," Lauren Moraski, Feb. 8, 2012.