Divorce and Post-Divorce Mediation

TEN BASIC STEPS TO A MEDIATED DIVORCE.

This process usually takes at a minimum 3 months but may go over a year while planning an effective divison of the estate.

1. Choose to use divorce mediation.
2. The divorcing couple selects their Mediator and signs a mediation agreement.
3. Mediation sessions can begin before or after filing the Petition for Divorce with the Court.
4. The Mediator drafts the Petition for Divorce. This Petition must be from one spouse who is called the "Petitioner". The Petition is then filed with the Court.
5. In 3-4 divorce mediation sessions, you and your spouse can move smoothly towards the final stages of your divorce. The mediator will facilitate your discussions to reach meaningful decisions and agreements. Your decisions may include dividing the parenting time, dividing your assets and debts or modifying prior court orders.
6. The other party, the "Respondent" is served the Petition and other papers by a process server or signs an Acceptance of Service.
7. The parties begin or continue with 2-4 mediation session(s) to reach agreements on all issues.
8. After each session, some of the final documents can be drafted. The parties begin to review what is drafted and make changes and corrections.
9. After the final mediation, the Divorce Decree and other final documents must be signed by the parties, notarized, copied and filed with Family Court Administration for the Judge's final signature.
10. After the Judge has signed and entered the decree, copies are sent to the parties and they are divorced.
11. There is follow-up work to do on changing titles of homes, vehicles and retirement accounts. This can be overseen by the Mediator or parties as agreed.

A1 Mediators are trained to remain neutral between both parties and it is their job to stay that way.  The attorney-mediators also can share legal knowledge about divorce law with both parties and remain neutral.  A1 and encourages all parties to share the cost of the initial advanced retainer fee which is usually far less than teh overall cost when hiring two attorneys to represent both parties.