Steps to Consider When You Decide to Work With a Divorce Mediator
If you and your spouse have decided to hire a divorce mediator to help you settle the terms of your divorce, you probably have a good idea on the issues that need to be resolved. For most couples, the major issues are deciding on a plan for parenting time, deciding how to divide your joint property, assets and debts, and determining whether or not you need to factor spousal or child support into your settlement. Divorce mediation is different than litigation in large part because you are in control of the outcomes. Here are some tips to put yourself in the best possible position for successful divorce mediation:
For many couples, it is hard to think about life after divorce. After investing so many years in your marriage, the focus when the decision is made to end the marriage is on the specifics of the divorce. If you do spend time thinking about what your life will be like after your divorce, these thoughts likely do NOT include your former spouse. However, your divorce is just the beginning of a new phase of your relationship, especially if you have children. Post-divorce mediation is a great tool for managing inevitable conflict that comes up after your divorce is final
One of the most common questions that we are asked by our clients is how long they should expect the divorce mediation process to take. Every divorce is unique, and the settlement process can be different for different couples. In general, you can expect to participate in 3-4 two hour mediation sessions over the course of a few months. This can be a bit shorter or longer depending on the readiness of both parties to resolve the issues and the emotional state of each party. Johnson Mediation focuses on helping you navigate every aspect of the divorce process, from start to finish, so that you can move forward
Divorce mediation has become much more accepted and popular over the last several decades. Many states, including Minnesota actually encourage couples to use mediation or another dispute resolution technique before going through the courts to settle the terms of a divorce. The mediation process is based on the core premise that finding areas of compromise can allow a divorcing couple to make decisions about settling the terms of divorce in a way that are less contentious, less stressful and potentially more positive and productive than litigation.
Concern over the financial impact of a divorce is extremely stressful and may have even caused you to delay this important decision. In addition to dividing all of your joint property you must also think about the money it costs to go through the process. If you proceed through the traditional court system, you can expect to pay up to $15,000 in legal and court fees. Divorce can leave you with additional debt, an impact on your credit score in addition to the emotional toll the process can take. Johnson Mediation can help you and your family look ahead with a focus on you, your family and your future.
Nearly all divorces are complicated. When you have spent years of your life together as a couple, it can be extremely difficult to separate your possessions, financial assets and to determine a parenting plan (or custody arrangement) for your children. It is a common myth that a complicated and potentially adversarial divorce can only be settled using the court system and litigation. However, even the most complicated divorce can be settled using divorce mediation. Johnson Mediation specializes in offering effective and affordable divorce mediation services, whether your divorce is relatively simple or very complex.
