Divorce mediation is when a neutral third party helps a separating couple agree on various issues and terms of the divorce. If you and your spouse decide to file for divorce, mediation is a way for you to work through the process in a more calm and controlled environment.
With the help of a mediator, you and your soon-to-be ex can work through several common divorce issues.
Custody and visitation
A mediator can help you and your spouse agree on how to share the responsibilities of raising your children. This can include developing a visitation schedule for when the children will spend time with each parent and how to make decisions regarding education, religion, health and extracurricular activities.
Division of debts and assets
Mediation can help tackle one of the most significant issues in a divorce – property division. You can work with a mediator to reach a mutually agreeable solution on dividing your marital assets and debts fairly and equitably. This can include the division of your family home, life insurance policies, retirement accounts, vehicles and other assets.
Child and spousal support
Through mediation, you can agree on how you and the other parent will financially support your children. You can discuss the amount of child support one parent will pay the other, as well as additional expenses such as funding extracurriculars or paying medical bills.
Alimony is another issue to address through mediation. By collaborating with the other party, you can agree on how long and how much to pay for spousal support.
Exploring mediation as an alternative to court proceedings can benefit many couples looking to work through their divorce issues.