What is Divorce Mediation?
Cost of Divorce Mediation
There’s no question that the cost of Colorado divorce mediation is less than litigation. With that said, you must equip yourself with a qualified and competent mediator. Hiring someone based on a lower per hour price won’t save you any money if they take twice as long to get the job done. You want professional Denver divorce mediation if you aim to keep your expenses as low as possible.
Divorce Mediation Tips
As you move forward, it’s helpful to follow some of these tips for divorce mediation.
- Pick a qualified mediator.
- Come prepared.
- Know what is important to you.
- Be honest.
- Be understanding.
- Allow yourself to take a break.
- Control your emotions.
- Be willing to negotiate and compromise.
Divorce Mediation Checklist
When you attend divorce mediation, you want to be prepared. Follow our divorce mediation checklist provided below. Go through this list and bring any pertinent information with you. You can also jot down some ideas of what you hope the outcome is. This will offer a springboard of ideas as you sit down for negotiations. If you want the divorce mediation to go as smoothly as possible, it will help to have the following items ready:
- Tax returns
- Pay stubs
- Tax forms: 1099s or W2s
- Partnerships and other business information
- Real estate property valuation
- Checking, savings and additional bank account information
- Cars, trailers and boat valuation
- Investments such as bonds, stocks, mutual funds, etc.
- Executive compensation
- Retirement accounts, IRAs and annuities
- Life insurance policies
- Real estate loans
- Appraisals on jewelry, art, antiques, collectibles and other valuables
- Credit cards, loans and debt
- Insurance policies, including homeowners, auto and health
What to Expect at Divorce Mediation
During your Denver divorce mediation, the facilitator goes over a few basics. You and your spouse will both have the chance to speak and the mediator reflects back what you have said. It’s important to know what points are agreed upon and what needs further negotiation. Once the negotiations begin, it’s vital to deal with small issues first. This allows you the chance to successfully compromise before tackling larger items. Once all the terms are agreed upon, your Parker divorce mediation concludes with the attorney writing the agreement. These documents become part of the divorce judgment and are enforced by the courts.
Divorce Mediator + Divorce Lawyer
Finding the right divorce mediator and/or divorce lawyer requires some work on your part. A divorce mediator works with all parties in the divorce case where a lawyer is there for the one party that hired them. The divorce mediator could also be a divorce lawyer as well, but when practicing as a mediator, they should not offer legal advice to any divorce party. Albeit, you want a skilled divorce mediator as well as a skilled divorce lawyer. You don’t want to work with anyone in Parker, CO that doesn’t have adequate experience.
Your mediator should have skills and experience with divorcing couples showing the ability to help all sides communicate effectively and come to an amicable solution. Your divorce lawyer must be knowledgeable in the Denver laws, as they can differ from other areas such as Parker or other small municipalities. Ask the divorce lawyer how many Denver divorce mediations they have been a part of. While it’s wise to choose someone with lots of experience, you might worry that will drive the cost up. The hourly rate might indeed be higher for qualified divorce mediation in Colorado. However, the negotiation and agreement will be completed faster, which will keep your expenses to a minimum.
Colorado Divorce Mediation
When you want experienced divorce mediation, you know you can trust the law offices of Thomas Ramunda Jr. He’s an expert in divorce law in Denver-Parker, CO. With more than 25 years of working with families just like yours; South Denver Law is equipped to navigate through your divorce with ease. Whether you want to visit at the Parker or Denver location, we can help you find a smooth, affordable and expert mediation.
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