Divorce (also called a dissolution of marriage) is a court order that terminates a marriage before either the death of either spouse. Divorce law can be quite complex, involving prenuptial agreements, marital agreements, custody of children, and division of property, child support, alimony etc. The laws in each state differ with regard to these issues, as well as the requirements for granting Divorce. While disagreements between spouses can lead to lengthy and expensive Divorce proceedings, most are resolved without a contested trial. Mediation is an attempt to avoid stressful divorce proceedings by working out terms both acceptable and agreeable to both parties.