Divorce mediation is a robust process that allows you to focus on real concerns and alleviate some of the time spent in the courts. Divorce mediation allows both parties to voice concerns, while the mediator attempts to accommodate everyone’s needs without compromising either party’s welfare. By utilizing divorce mediation in Colorado, you can keep the cost to a minimum as well.
Divorce Mediation Cost
While it’s difficult to estimate the typical divorce mediation cost, it’s often less expensive than a typical divorce proceeding. In a typical divorce, everything happens through third parties. You send a message to your divorce attorney’s secretary, which goes to the paralegal and the attorney. Your attorney then needs to speak with the spouse’s lawyer staff, who then translates it to their attorney and ultimately to your spouse. This path of communication takes time and becomes costly. By partaking in divorce mediation, you cut out all of this unnecessary back-and-forth.
Divorce Mediation vs. Lawyer
The mediator doesn’t need to be a lawyer, but it should be someone who understands the family law’s ins and outs. Plus, you don’t want to sign any agreements without speaking to your lawyer. That’s why it is often best to use your family lawyer for mediation.
Who Can Mediate A Divorce & How Long Does Mediation Usually Take?
- Mediators can be judges, retired judges, lawyers, and non-lawyers.
- Mediation can be successfully finished in a half-day, a whole day, or more than one meeting.
- The Colorado Courts require the parties to mediate in every case (oftentimes more than once) unless they come to an agreement on their own or through attorneys.
Divorce Mediation Colorado
There’s no need to file for divorce with the Colorado Courts before starting the mediation process, although sometimes it is best to do so. Your family lawyer will know the ideal way to handle your mediation.
Collaborative Divorce vs. Mediation
The collaborative divorce uses attorneys who help to sign a “no court” agreement. The spouses and attorneys will negotiate in four-way meetings but will have to withdraw the agreement if the case ends up in court. On the other hand, divorce mediation is done with a mediator. The process allows you to develop a mutually agreed-upon plan that can be taken to the courts during your divorce proceedings.
How Does Divorce Mediation Work?
You start with a phone call to share background information about the family, marriage, and issues. At the first meeting, the mediator will explain the ground rules. Your mediation might all occur in one room, or you might be separated depending on the situation. You and your spouse will have the chance to voice concerns and discuss what would be acceptable. These meetings continue to occur until an agreement is reached or either party decides to stop the process.
How Long Does Divorce Mediation Take?
Depending on the situation, some divorce mediation agreements can be reached after just one meeting. However, it’s not unusual to need several meetings to ensure both parties are satisfied. If there are many factors to discuss and agree upon, you can expect to schedule several meetings that address all of the issues.
What Happens After Divorce Mediation?
A successful mediation ends when both parties agree to marital property division, child or spousal support, and child custody terms. To finalize the process, the mediator will draft court forms agreeing and file it along with your other paperwork to the courts. However, keep in mind that sometimes mediations end without any agreements at all, so it may be in your best interest to speak to a legal representative prior to mediation.
What Does A Divorce Mediator Do?
The family law divorce mediator in Colorado must be a neutral third party specifically trained to work through disputes with couples until a resolution is found. Mediators can be divorce lawyers or might not be a practicing attorney at all. In most cases, a divorce mediator will perform the following functions:
- Facilitates communication between both parties, ensuring that each party gets uninterrupted speaking time
- Asks either party to explain or restate a point if something isn’t clear
- Asks further questions of the parties to make sure the communication is clear
- Provides information regarding the divorce agreement and the legal system to inform both parties
- Describes how the judge could view the issues
- Facilitates a fair discussion regarding child support or spousal support
- Identifies varying alternatives to solve the issues
- Refers couples out to third party experts if further services are needed the mediator can’t provide
Divorce Mediation Tips & Tricks
If you want your divorce mediation to go smoothly, there are some tips to pay attention to. With these helpful hints, the process can be quicker and easier.
- Be focused on compromising. You aren’t there to win an argument, but rather, agree to terms that benefit everyone.
- Set aside all of your personal feelings. The only way to work rationally is to see things from each other’s point of view.
- List out all of the assets, debts, and possessions that need to be addressed. By doing this in advance, you spend less time with the mediator and save more money.
- Write out your budget. You want to know exactly what splitting into two households will look like.
- Pick your priorities. You aren’t going to get everything you want, so you need to determine what is most important to you and be willing to give up some other aspects.
- Use a qualified mediator that has a record of success. Ask the mediator how often they can agree to ensure your money is well spent.
Find A Divorce Lawyer Near Me….
While you can use a divorce mediator sometimes it’s necessary to hire an experienced divorce lawyer to best represent you. Thomas Ramunda Jr. comes to the table with more than 25 years of experience. Additionally, he receives high customer satisfaction ratings, ensuring that both parties are heard and understood. Consider meeting with Thomas Ramunda from South Denver Law for family law services to save time and money.
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Denver Divorce Lawyer
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Denver, Colorado 80237
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Parker Divorce Lawyer
Parker Office,
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Parker, CO 80138
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Colorado Springs Divorce Lawyer
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