Even if you cannot agree on everything in mediation, you will probably be able to agree on some things. Each issue that you resolve in mediation translates into less time in court, less legal fees and less aggravation for you.
Having a neutral third party who is a trained expert mediator facilitates the process. The mediator helps guide the parties towards resolution, maintain focus, and separate out the issues from the emotion.
And, for those issues you could not agree upon in mediation, at least you understand what those issues are, and where you stand. At the very least, you will know you tried your best to reach an agreement before resorting to court intervention.
Sometimes new information, proposed solutions, or the passage of time makes it possible to resolve a previous point of dispute. So even if mediation does not address everything in a session or two, you may be able to resolve it a week or a month later through additional mediation, without having to go to court. It is always possible to schedule an additional mediation session at a later date to revisit a particular conflict point.