Do You Need Divorce Mediation?

Most divorce cases will not actually require litigation in the courtroom, because couples are often able to come to agreements through the process of mediation, which can be a step ordered by the courts before a trial date can even be set.

Mediation is intended to help both parties come to an agreement on key areas of contention in the divorce proceedings with the help of a non-biased third-party mediator.

When you enter mediation, you should do so with a level head and a readiness to work cooperatively with your lawyer, your spouse, and his or her lawyer so that everyone may come to an agreement that works.

Here are a few more tips to help you get ready for mediation so that you can finalize your divorce faster without a trip to the court room.

List All Assets and Property

A big part of mediation will be determining the division of assets and the amount of compensation one spouse will pay in spousal support and child support, if applicable.

To make this process easier, be sure to list all individual and shared assets and property so that it is easier to discuss how these assets may be divided fairly between you and your spouse.

Consider Where You are Willing to Compromise

It is unlikely that you will leave mediation getting everything that you want, since compromises will need to be made to satisfy both parties.

Therefore, you should go into mediation knowing what you might be most willing to sacrifice so that you do not end up agreeing to terms that you regret down the road.

Talk to Your Attorney

Just before mediation begins, you should sit down with your lawyer to talk about how the process will go and what you can expect with your specific circumstances.

Your lawyer can provide a more objective opinion that will let you make more informed decisions, rather than letting your emotions take over when mediation is in progress.