The Process of Legal Divorce through Mediation

To achieve a divorce in Connecticut, there needs to be a commencement of a legal action. There is a mandatory three-month waiting period before a hearing date is set and the divorce is concluded. During Mediation, legal papers are started and with the help of the mediator, both spouses negotiate directly with each other to reach an agreement. This agreement becomes the contract for your divorce.

Couples negotiate and resolve issues such as the division of property, parenting arrangements and child support. The mediator is a neutral party whose purpose is to create the space that allows the parties to identify issues and arrive at solutions within a series of sessions that meets both spouses time availability. The mediator creates an environment of mutual respect that allows both spouses the forum to discuss their problems and reach mutually satisfying agreements.

The Process and Rules of Mediation

Mediation usually takes several sessions for general topics such as financial issues and child related issues. We have completed divorce mediation in one session and have had some last several months. Usually, 4-8 sessions is the norm.

Rules for Mediation

• Parties must not be involved in domestic abuse.
• The process involves total disclosure of assets, liabilities and income, etc. and both parties must be completely honest in those regards
• The process requires respect for each person's position and both individuals must allow freedom of expression.

We have high expectations that parties going through a divorce may be civil to one another in the process of reorganizing their family. Any argument parties may have had might be forgotten in the near future, however, when there are children involved or extended family, the feelings of betrayal and abandonment could be longer lived.

We support the best interests of your children first, and will refer you to proper professionals to assist you in a parenting plan and other issues dealing with children.