A divorce mediation checklist is necessary to keep you on track. If you have never been to mediation before and are going through a divorce, this process can seem complicated and stressful. But, the key to overcoming this is being prepared, which can include having a checklist.
Let’s look at how you can get what you want in divorce mediation.
How To Prepare for Divorce Mediation
The best thing you can do when it comes to divorce mediation is to make sure that you are prepared. This is going to enable you to negotiate better and have a goal of what you want to achieve with your spouse. When you are put on the spot, and you have not done your work, you could end up not reaching the resolution you want.
The main topics you need to prepare for when it comes to divorce are:
- Property
- Assets
- Financial support
- Child custody
For each of these topics, you will have to think about what you are entitled to and want to achieve during the mediation. This could be splitting certain property or claiming specific assets. You may also require financial support from your spouse during or after the divorce. If you are going to be the primary custodian for your children, you will also need to calculate how much child support you can have.
When you are prepared for divorce mediation, you are going to feel confident that you know what to discuss. Facing your partner can be a daunting prospect, so you can make notes on everything beforehand so that you know what you want to talk about and negotiate.
Mediation can be a great way to come to a positive resolution with your partner. But, this is only going to be true if you know what you are asking for and what is available for you to claim during a legal separation. You can work towards achieving a fair outcome.
– A Checklist for Divorce Mediation Preparation
If you are new to divorce mediation preparation, you might not know where to begin. Here is a simple mediation preparation checklist to help you before you start the process:
- Create a list of assets
- Know your debts
- Take note of marital property and its worth
- Have other important items valued
- Gather paperwork and financial statements
- Note any pension or retirement accounts
- Know your own income and expenses for spousal support
- Consider child custody or any custody terms
- Understand child support and what you may need
- Gather information on insurance coverage
You can also contact your mediator before proceeding to ask them for tips. They may help you get prepared and give you some advice on what you can do to be organized and ready. A good way to approach mediation is to think about it as a business deal. You need to go into it having done your research and knowing what you want to achieve.
– Choose a Divorce Mediator
An important thing you have to do is choose a divorce mediator. Often, this is something that you have the freedom to do. This is unless it is a free mediation service or it has been chosen as a resolution by the court.
Ideally, you want to choose a local divorce mediator. This is going to make sure that they understand the local rules and laws that are going to apply to your divorce. Somebody who is not familiar with this could make mistakes, and this is not something you want to deal with during a difficult time.
Your local court often has information on mediators in your area. Alternatively, you can choose to do some research online and find a mediator that you like. Some information to look out for is how much they charge and whether they have experience. In addition, you want to ensure that you feel comfortable with them and that they are friendly and approachable.
– Prepare the Night Before
The night before divorce mediation, you can start to get nervous. This can seem like a scary proceeding if you have never done it before. But, you have to remember that you should have done all of your preparation previously. So, you are armed with everything you need to reach an amicable and fair resolution.
Make sure that you have all the documents you need printed and ready. Often, a mediator will advise you on all of the information you need to bring. Make sure that you also have a map or know the directions to where you are going so that you are not late.
Do not forget to take care of yourself the night before divorce mediation. In other words, spend time relaxing and de-stressing to be in the right state of mind for the proceedings. It is normal to feel nervous. But, focus on self-care to feel confident and ready to go the next day.
You may also wish to speak to your children and update them on what is happening. Children can feel more confused when they are kept out of the loop. While you may think that this protects them, it can also mean that they do not understand the divorce when it happens suddenly.
– What Happens After Divorce Mediation?
After divorce mediation, you’ll be able to reach a resolution with your partner that you both agree on. Indeed, this is going to mean working together to decide on the best way to split assets and property, as well as take care of the children in the future.
The aim is to discuss the big topics and reach conclusions. Then, it will be about having this written up in a divorce settlement. This agreement should then be filed with your local court so that it can become legally binding.
A mediator might help you when it comes to preparing the settlement. But, it is often going to be you that has to file this with the court. You can choose to take on this responsibility, or it can be your spouse.
Hopefully, you can reach a settlement that makes you feel good about the future. Again, preparation is a key way to ensure that you are going to be happy with the outcome. When this happens, you can move forward with your life and have no regrets.
Benefits
There are many reasons why couples like mediation when it comes to their divorce. Often, it is an official yet informal way that they can discuss their separation and discuss issues and concerns. It is not as intimidating as a courtroom, which allows for more open and honest conversation.
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Better Communication
A mediator can be a good person to have in discussions since they can lead them and help guide the couple. This allows for better communication but without taking sides with either partner. A lot of couples feel like it is a fair way to discuss divorce and that there is no favoritism.
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Confidentiality
The mediation process is confidential too. This can allow the couple to feel comfortable during the process and know that they can be open without anyone knowing all of their business. They can sort their separation in a productive way and work toward a healthy breakup if there are children involved.
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Faster Resolution
There are even some practical benefits when it comes to divorce mediation. Often, it is a quicker process, and you do not have to wait months to be heard in court. You can have a resolution quicker and move on with your life. In addition, mediation is often more affordable and does not involve such high legal fees.
FAQ
– What Is Mediation?
Mediation is a way to resolve problems or issues that come up during a divorce. Namely, it is going to involve meeting with your spouse and a mediator. This is a professional that is neutral to the situation, and they can help to guide the couple in their conversations and assist with arrangements.
Most of the time, mediation is going to be a voluntary decision taken by the spouses. But, there can be some cases where a judge will order a couple to take part in mediation.
– Is Divorce Mediation Legally Binding?
Yes, the decisions that a couple comes to during divorce mediation can be legally binding. The process itself is voluntary, and it relies on both people coming together and agreeing to take part. But, when they agree, this can be legally binding, and they must follow these plans.
This is going to involve both spouses signing a consent order. This will state that the decisions they make for their divorce are binding and will be enforced by law. So this means that if someone does not follow what they have agreed to after signing the consent order, legal action can be taken against them.
Note that not every mediation is going to end with a resolution. There are going to be some cases where the spouses cannot agree on the division of assets or what will happen with children after divorce. So, in this case, there is not going to be a legally binding decision made.
– Do You Get to Talk During Divorce Mediation?
Yes, each partner during a divorce mediation is going to get the opportunity to speak. This allows you to get your thoughts and opinions out there in the open. Of course, something you want to do at all times during divorce mediation is be respectful toward your partner. Yes, you are breaking up and divorcing. But, this is not an opportunity to shout, be mean or be disruptive to the process.
Another important element of divorce mediation is active listening. You want to hear what your partner is saying and their wishes. This can help you form what you want to say in response and reach a conclusion both of you are happy with. This is particularly essential if there are children from the marriage. You have more than just yourself to think about.
Remember that a mediator is there during the process to make things easier. If you are ever struggling, they are going to lead the way. In particular, if you feel your emotions getting away from you, take a moment to pause. Often a mediator is going to help direct the discussion at this point.
– Will Divorce Mediation Always Be Suitable for Couples?
No, it will not always be a suitable proceeding for everyone. Divorce mediation can work well for many couples where there is little dispute. If you are still able to communicate in a friendly and reasonable way, it can be an excellent start to going your separate ways.
But, it is not going to be suitable for everyone. Indeed, where spouses do not agree on a lot of divorce issues, mediation might not prove to be productive. You do have to talk with your partner, and this may mean that you do not resolve the problems. If you feel very frustrated and know that you are going to take this anger into the proceeding, you may not feel mediation is the way to move forward.
If there have been real issues in a relationship, it may be best to wait for a court date rather than use mediation services. It might not be the best use of time and lead to more arguments and problems. In addition, there can be certain circumstances where mediation can be intimidating. For example, if you have been in an abusive relationship.
Therefore, you may be better off going to court unless you are willing to put your feelings to one side and work with your partner for a resolution.
– When Should Someone Avoid Divorce Mediation?
If you are in a situation where you do not think that your partner will be reasonable, you should avoid divorce mediation. For example, if your partner has been deceitful in the past and you believe that they might try to lie and be untrustworthy to get what they want, you may find a court process better. This way, they cannot be unreasonable during negotiations.
It is important that if you feel in danger, you do not try divorce mediation. Indeed, there is going to be a mediator present. But, you are still going to be in a situation where nobody is representing you, and you will have to negotiate with your partner. If they are used to having power over you, this can be a scary and stressful situation. A court is going to be able to help you.
– Can You Create a Parenting Plan During Divorce Mediation?
Yes, you are going to be able to create a binding parenting plan during divorce mediation. This is a time when you can discuss the best outcome for the children involved in the marriage with your partner. You can talk about whom the children should live with and a visitation schedule if one parent will be the main custodian.
Often, divorce mediation can be more productive when it comes to parenting plans. The parents know best and what their children are going to be happy with. So, as long as both spouses are willing to put the children first, mediation can be better than leaving this task to a court.
The main focus should be on whom the children are going to live with or whether they are going to be living between two houses. Bird nesting could be an option you could discuss too. If one parent is best to look after the children, you should discuss regular visitation for the other parent.
Child support is going to be a topic for discussion. This will allow the primary custodian to buy everything the children need to maintain their living standards and grow up in a good environment.
Conclusion
Preparing for divorce mediation is the best way to reach an honest result that you and your partner are going to be happy with. The last thing you want to do is walk into mediation and not know what you can get or the best ways to negotiate.
Let’s summarize this guide to divorce mediation:
- Mediation can be a way to avoid a court battle, and it involves discussion with your partner in the presence of a mediator.
- A mediator is an impartial professional that is going to help guide discussions between two spouses for divorce.
- Mediation can be beneficial when you want to avoid the intimidating atmosphere of a court, and it can be a better way to communicate with your partner.
- Mediation is confidential, and it can provide a quick resolution since you can negotiate directly with your partner.
- Some tasks to include in your mediation checklist are knowing your debts, gathering paperwork, understanding child support, and noting retirement accounts.
It is best to always have a divorce mediation checklist before starting the process. This way, you can understand what is happening and the best way to approach the situation. Mediation can be a positive experience and mean that you can directly discuss what you want from a separation with your partner.
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