Part One: Before the Mediation Process:
This is part 1 of a 3 part series.
Divorce is tough, and it can be costly. While an attorney-driven divorce battle can take months if not years and cost tens of thousands of dollars, it is possible for couple’s to engage in a collaborative divorce process. We utilize divorce mediators to help you through using our custom divorce mediation process. If you’re looking into alternatives to a traditional divorce route and hiring expensive divorce attorneys, consider these tips.
- Agree to Disagree.
It’s tough to communicate, and especially agree, with someone you are breaking up with and getting divorced from. A divorce is usually a lengthy process, at a minimum a few weeks or months and can last for years. Helpful suggestions to engage in productive discussions include, “Can we please meet after the kids’ bed time to discuss how we will proceed,” or, “I know you feel wronged by me but I don’t want either of us to hurt more than is necessary — lets seek some help to get through this.”
- Commit to being open and honest.
One of the major duties of a divorce lawyer and the court process is to engage in ‘fact finding.’ If both parties in a divorce can agree to be open and honest in their negotiation, they can avoid the costly process of court enforceable (and attorney driven) fact finding missions. If both parties are committed to being open and honest, you’ll avoid the lengthy, expensive, court fact finding mission.
- Find the right support.
A divorce process is stressful, and where you find help to ease your stress or get ideas about what to do next really matters (and can save you long term). Some turn to public outlets like Facebook for advice (worst idea). Others turn to family or friends, especially those who have gone through divorce (better idea). The best idea, though, is to look to seasoned professionals — personal counselors to help process and keep your head strong, as well as divorce specialists like divorce mediators or a no-nonsense attorney.
Please reach out to us today for a free consultation with a divorce attorney mediator.