Tips To Help Prepare For Divorce Mediation

 Posted on January 08, 2018 in Divorce

After you have made the decision to pursue a divorce, it is not uncommon to feel uneasy about airing your marriage history in open court. To avoid this, many couples find mediation to be a more effective and far less stressful and expensive way to settle the outstanding issues in their divorce. In addition to working with a resourceful family law attorney, it is critical to understand what is necessary to prepare for a mediation session. 

What You Need To Do To Get Ready

Mediation is often considered the low-key route to divorce, the process still has the ability to make people nervous, and this understandable. No matter what you call it, the end result is still the same, and to many, the end of one’s marriage can be nerve-wracking and emotional. Here are a few tips to consider when preparing for mediation sessions:

• Get all your financial files in order. Spend time in advance of mediation making sure you have copies of bank records, statements, receipts, and records of all debts, loans, and assets that hold financial value to both you and your spouse. 
• Make sure your emotions are in check. While mediation is supposed to be a less stressful path to divorce, depending on your relationship with your spouse, it is not uncommon for emotions to bubble to the surface. Do your best to control yourself and avoid outbursts, as they can be quite counterproductive.
• Be ready to negotiate. You should enter mediation with the mindset of someone who wants to work toward a compromise, not argue. A little give and take will go a long way in resolving things quickly. 
• Prepare a budget. Know your income and expenses, and enter mediation with a budget that accounts for your financial needs. Be realistic, but be sure to account for everything you (and your children) will require on a monthly basis. 

A Good Thing To Know In Advance

If, during the course of the mediation session, you have a question or concern you wish to share with your attorney, it is perfectly acceptable to ask to speak privately with your lawyer. Do not wait to ask questions and fully understand the legal ramifications of your decisions until it is too late. 

Seek The Counsel of a Knowledgeable Farmington Hills Divorce Mediation Attorney

If you decide that participating in mediation is an appropriate course of action for dividing property and assets and settling other divorce-related matters, it is important to work with legal professionals who have the right kind of experience. Elkouri Heath PLC can provide the advice and guidance you need to ensure an experience free of stress and anxiety. Contact an Oakland Hills divorce mediation attorney at 248-344-9700 to schedule a free initial consultation, during which time you can get answers to all your questions.

Sources:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/michelle-rozen/how-to-prepare-for-your-f_b_4109798.html