From a client: “Divorce is never easy but mediation made the experience less painful, less costly, and far more expeditious. Using Resolution Divorce Services helped guide us through the complex process of divorce – welcomed help during an emotional time.”
Divorcing couples are faced with a variety of difficult, often overwhelming decisions about the future of their family.
In divorce mediation you and your spouse approach these issues as a problem you can solve, rather than a battle you may or may not win. In mediation you have the ability to make these decisions without breaking the bank or leaving you or your children emotionally devastated.
Divorce mediation is based on the belief that divorcing spouses are best-suited to make the decisions divorce requires for their family. With the help of a neutral mediator, a divorcing couple can sit down together to work through the terms of a fair divorce settlement.
Studies have proven couples who mediate their divorce have better communication and a better co-parenting relationship with their ex-spouse than those who litigate. Even more importantly, couples who mediate are more actively involved in their children’s upbringing and have better long-term relationships with their children (Center for Children, Families and the Law at the University of Virginia, Emery, 2001).
Mediation starts with a free one-hour session where you are able to learn about the process, ask any questions you have and determine whether or not you feel comfortable using Erin as your mediator.
We meet in two hour sessions to work through all parenting and financial issues until a settlement is reached. Sessions can be scheduled as close together or as far apart as you choose. The number of sessions required to reach a settlement varies depending on the level of conflict as well as the complexity of the parenting and financial matters involved. A “typical divorce” can be settled in three to five working sessions, or about 90 days total.
Less time in mediation is required when both parties come prepared with all required financial documentation, when both partners have similar incomes and when the conflict level is relatively low. Typically higher conflict couples require more time in mediation, as do complex financial situations such as a jointly owned business.
The outcome of the mediation process will likely be similar to what it would have been using the traditional legal system for your divorce but you will have spent much less time and money during the process. In divorce mediation we will resolve all the financial and parenting issues involved in divorce, including:
Once the two of you have have agreed upon the terms of your settlement, the mediator will draft your Memorandum of Agreement that spell out the details in simple, easy-to-understand language.
The last step in the process is having the Agreement transferred into the Joint Petition, which will then be filed with the court. Erin works with an attorney who charges a very reasonable flat fee to draft the Joint Petition. If you have minor children, you will need to attend a brief default hearing before the divorce is finalized. If you do not have minor children, the court will perform an administrative review of your agreements before you divorce will be final.
If you have any questions or have would like more information about Divorce Mediation, please contact us for a confidential consultation at 612.599.8366 today.