More and more divorcing couples are seeking mediation to settle their divorces, at least according to data from National Family Mediation, the largest provider of family mediation in England and Wales. Statistics show in the first half of 2015, the mediation center received more than 3400 calls per month, which are approximately 1600 more than during the same period in the previous year.

The center notes the increased number of calls corresponds with the court advisory service CafCass. There have been cut to legal aid, which means divorcing couples don’t have the same options they had in the past. In order to afford divorce, they must try to reach settlements on their own. There is speculation the spike in calls shows the government’s policy to divert people from the courts and toward mediation.

Experts believe more and more these days, divorcing couples are researching their options on their own. Instead of turning to divorce attorneys, they are looking for experts to help them make their own decisions. Unfortunately, there are more families in crisis than ever before, but for them, it helps knowing there is assistance and support available.

There is some counter-evidence that could show a discrepancy in the increase in mediated divorces. Between April 2014 and March 2015, 8,035 mediation cases were started, down from 13,609 in 2012-13, but the data also showed the number of mediation starts rose in the first half of this year, totaling 2,336, up 33% from the same period last year. It would seem many couples are at least attempting mediation, even if they turn to another option further down the road.