You gathered information regarding all of your assets, verified as best you could that your future ex-spouse wasn't hiding assets and you made some preliminary decisions regarding how you would like to divide the marital estate. You even agreed to negotiate a settlement outside of the courtroom.
Avoiding the courtroom could result in a better parenting plan
You and your future ex-spouse may not agree on much in the beginning of your divorce proceedings, but you may agree that, when it comes to your children, you need to figure out a way to work together. That may seem like an insurmountable task at this point, but both of you are steadfast in making it happen.