How To Get Ready For Your Divorce Mediation
Divorce mediation can be described as the process where your spouse and you, and your respective lawyers, hire a mediator- a neutral third party, as part of your effort to discuss and resolve the issues surrounding your divorce.
This process helps you and your ex decide your own terms of the divorce and what is best for the two of you as well as your children. Mediation helps you resolve your differences and end your marriage in an amicable manner.
Mediation helps you with several issues including child custody, property distribution, retirement, taxes, etc. Couples work out their issues and reach agreements much faster and easier with a mediator. Mediators help keep communication open, create ideas, teach empathy, and help the couple in their decisions. They also make sure you do not go off track and remain focused on your issues.
How can you prepare for your first mediation session?
When your first mediation session is around the corner, it is natural for you to feel nervous, but you need to know that you have made the right choice for your children as well as for yourself. Here are some tips on how you can prepare yourself for your first mediation session:
- Pull together all your financial documents including your list of assets, bank account details, mutual funds, retirement funds, stock ownerships, and pending lawsuits, if any. Normally, it is not necessary for you to carry original documents, but you will need to check with the mediator before.
- Keep your emotions in check because you are walking into a negotiation process and you need to keep your head clear for this.
- Consulting a mediator is a proactive process. So you have to be prepared to negotiate and not argue. Your mediator and lawyer can help you achieve your terms provided they are reasonable.
- If you need, make sure your lawyer is around. You might need legal advice during the process, so ensure that your lawyer is present.
- You can speak to your mediator alone, if needed. You can address certain issues with just your mediator without having to involve your ex.
- Learn your rights, gather information, meet the mediator before so you know the terms of the divorce and the implications involved.
- Plan a budget beforehand that includes all your expenses. Make sure it is realistic and reasonable.
- Do not hesitate to present your concerns so they can be discussed and cleared.
Divorce mediation is a good step that will help you reach what you need much easier than fighting it out in court. Make sure that all your issues are addressed before you chalk out a divorce plan with your ex.
To learn more about the divorce process in California and how mediation can help, please visit our page, What is Divorce Mediation.
Gerald A. Maggio is a trained divorce mediator who has amicably resolved cases many cases out of court, as well as an experienced divorce and family law attorney. Mr. Maggio founded California Divorce Mediators in 2012 with the belief that although “not every marriage can be saved, every family can” and a mission to save families from the financial and emotional distress associated with traditional divorce litigation. California Divorce Mediators is located in Irvine, California, and serves the Orange County area and other counties in California offering divorce mediation, child custody mediation and mediation of other family law matters.
