Are you facing the prospect of divorce and preparing for mediation? It can be a stressful process, filled with small details and large decisions. While divorce is never easy, being well-prepared for your divorce mediation can make the entire process smoother. A successful mediation requires a combination of hard work, knowledge, organization and patience. So how do you achieve this relative harmony? Organizing paperwork to sharing your goals ahead of time, here are some steps on how to prepare for divorce mediation.
Understand the process of divorce mediation and what to expect
Divorce mediation is an important process that requires effort, respect and thoughtfulness to ensure a successful outcome. When preparing for divorce mediation, it is important to understand what to expect when attending the session. Mediation is a voluntary process that aims to reach an agreement between divorcing parties without the need for court action. During mediation sessions, couples will attempt to resolve disputes in relation to child custody, support payments and division of assets. These discussions are conducted in a confidential setting with a trained mediator. The mediator will guide the parties through the process. If an agreement is reached successfully then the divorce can be finalized without further involvement from the courts. It is essential that both parties enter into this process with open minds and remain focused on solving disputes.
Gather all relevant documents, including financial records and paperwork related to your property and assets
When preparing for divorce mediation, having all the necessary documents ready can help solidify a successful outcome. Be sure to gather your financial records. Bank statements, credit card statements, investment statements and anything else that would provide insight into your finances. You should also make certain to have your property and asset paperwork handy. Titles to jointly owned real estate, vehicle registrations, tax returns, wills and insurance policies. You must be prepared with the right information will help ensure that you get the best possible result.
Make a list of questions and concerns you want to address in mediation
Preparing for divorce mediation can be a difficult process with many questions and concerns looming ahead. It is important to take the time to think through what might come up during the mediation session and create a list of topics that are important for you to cover. This could include financial issues, custody arrangements, or post-divorce communication strategies. Consider any grievances you may have to ensure that all relevant matters will be discussed. By having this list at hand prior to mediation, it will provide you the opportunity to bring each topic up in the appropriate context when meeting with the mediator. Being prepared is essential in ensuring that all of your most pressing questions and concerns will be addressed thoughtfully.
Think about what you want to achieve from mediation and be realistic about what is possible
Before you sit down with a mediator, it’s important to take some time to consider what your ultimate goals are and be honest with yourself about what is realistic. It can be easy to make decisions in the heat of the moment and overestimate your expectations from mediation. Take a rational approach and prioritize resolution over confrontation, then have clear objectives established for what you would like the outcome of the process to be. By thinking ahead you can ensure that both parties are working towards an agreement that is beneficial for all involved.
Be prepared to compromise and negotiate during mediation
When faced with the difficult decision to move forward with divorce, couples typically turn to mediation to help them reach an understanding that works for both parties. It is important to remember that each person will need to be prepared for some level of compromise during the process. In addition, both individuals must come willing and able to negotiate a settlement that is fair and equitable, rather than attempting to seize every point in contention. If each partner demonstrates a willingness to cooperate and pay close attention to the details at hand, they greatly increase their chances of finding an agreement that suits them both.
Divorce mediation is a difficult process, and it can be hard to know the best way to prepare. While gathering information and making lists of questions and worries may be time consuming, doing so can give you leverage in the final settlement. Consider what you’d like to achieve, but also strive for realism about what is attainable for your situation. Be ready to compromise during negotiations as a part of settling differences or disagreements with your partner. Above all else, go into the meeting being prepared by gathering financial records, sorting property details, documents related to assets and agreements that will benefit all parties involved in the divorce process. We want your mediation experience to go smoothly and successfully, so contact us today if you have any concerns or need assistance.