Divorce Mediation

What is mediation?

Mediation is a procedure in which the parties discuss their disputes with the assistance of a trained impartial third person(s) who assists them in reaching a settlement. The parties will fashion the solution as the mediator moves through the process.  The purpose of divorce mediation is to avoid the time and expense of litigation by settling the issues involved in a divorce before either spouse files a complaint in court.

If two parties to a dispute cannot come to a final agreement through mediation, there are several choices: Go to Trial: If the mediation fails then the case can still go to court to be reviewed and decided by a judge. … Go Back to Mediation: You can go to another mediation process and begin a new mediation.

Step 1: Introductory Meeting

The first step of the meditation process is the introductory meeting. This first meeting gives both spouses a chance to get to know the mediator. During the introductory meeting, the mediator will explain her role and outline the rest of the process. 

After the mediator introduces herself, each spouse will have the opportunity to explain the situation from their perspective. Remember, mediation is not about arguing or bickering, so it’s important for each spouse to share their side of the story.

Step 2: Information Gathering

Once the introductions have been completed the mediator will begin gathering the information necessary for decisions to be made. Many times you will bring important documents and information to the introductory meeting in order to help this stage go smoothly. Sometimes you may not be able to get all the information you need for the first meeting. In that case, the mediator will help you figure out what you need. Once the mediator has all the documents she needs, she will ask you both some questions in order to get a better understanding of your case.