About Me

Divorce Is Easier With a Good Attorney

Divorce is hard. There's no way to make this emotionally challenging time a walk in the park, but there is one way to make it simpler: hire a good attorney. A divorce attorney can act as your go-between during the proceedings, which minimizes the contact you need to have with your ex-spouse. Overall, this can lead to fewer arguments and a settlement that is more fair for all parties involved. If you're on the brink of divorce, we think reading a little more about divorce attorneys on this blog will be helpful. That way, you are prepared for what is to come.

Search

Categories

Latest Posts

Divorce Is Easier With a Good Attorney

The Divorce Mediation Process Explained

by Gina George

Going through a divorce can be quite stressful, but it doesn't have to end up in court. Many divorces are actually settled in mediation, which is when both spouses sit down to work out an agreement together. While the mediation process typically happens in person, it is common to do it online these days during the current pandemic, and the process is similar no matter which way you do it. Here is what you need to know about the divorce mediation process. 

Explaining The Rules

The process starts by the mediator explaining the rules of divorce mediation to you. They'll make some things very clear from the beginning, such as making sure that both spouses agree to confidentiality. This means that anything that is said in mediation cannot be used against you during a trial, which allows you to speak freely during mediation. The mediator will also ask for your honesty and full disclosure over marital issues. You also have the right to leave the mediation process at any time if you feel like it is not going how you want and wish to take the case to trial.

Hearing Your Goals

The next step is to hear each person's goals and what they would like to get out of the mediation process. For example, one person may be very much focused on wanting to retain custody of their child, or to maintain possession of the home. Another person may be focused on how future retirement income is divided after a divorce is finalized. You need to be honest about what your goals are or they will not be considered during mediation. 

Listing Options

The mediator will then start providing you with options as to how everyone can reach their goals through the divorce agreement. They may present options that you were already thinking of, or options that are completely new to you. These can be used as a jumping-off point to start making compromises between both spouses. For example, if someone's goal was to keep the house, a plan can be made as to how to pay the other spouse for their share of equity that they have put into the home up until that point. 

Writing The Agreement

Once everything has been decided on in mediation, the actual divorce decree will be written so that it is official. This divorce decree is then presented to a judge, since they need to make the final decision on things like child custody and alimony. If you have been working with a mediator, chances are the judge will approve the decisions made in mediation. 

If you're feeling stressed about a court mediation process, consider an online divorce mediator for your case.

Share