Separation and Divorce Mediation
Many separating and divorcing couples turn to mediation these days because they understand that mediation is a faster process, less traumatic for the children, it’s cost effective, private and far less adversarial than a traditional, litigated divorce.
Mediation is a legal process and highly regarded by the court system. In fact, most judges prefer that parties work with a mediator to negotiate their parenting plan and division of assets outside of court before presenting a settlement agreement for the court to review. Most judges recognize that parties know their families best and are in the best possible position to create a settlement agreement – with the help of a trained mediator – that will equitably meet their needs. And if you and your partner are unmarried or an LGBTQIA+ couple, mediation is an ideal process to help you negotiate and settle the issues related to your separation, divorce, your co-parenting arrangement and your shared assets.
Whether you intend to temporarily separate or move for a full divorce, mediation has been shown to be better for the children because, parents stay out of court and work together with their mediator to design a parenting plan that is reasonable and balanced for everyone concerned. In other words, the process allows you to remain in the driver’s seat while you work with your mediator to make important life decisions, rather than delegating them to a lawyer or a judge.
Most separation/divorce mediations will help you negotiate the terms that will be entered into a legal agreement that addresses some of these basic issues:
- How to divide the property you own together
- Whether either of you will support the other after the divorce
- How you will parent your children together
- How you will make decisions regarding your children
- How you will each support the children financially
As a trained Lawyer, Mediator and Divorce Financial Planner, and as someone who has stood in your shoes, I will work with you to guide you and help you negotiate these important decisions together.