The purpose of this article is to help you prepare for divorce mediation. Divorce mediation is a process that allows a divorcing couple to meet with a neutral, third-party to help resolve divorce-related issues. Divorce mediators are specially-trained professionals who can help you work out agreements on the tough issues surrounding divorce. Divorce counseling is important for couples who wish to work through issues quickly and end their marriage as agreeably and cheaply as possible.
Divorce Mediation in Colorado
The process of divorce mediation differs from state to state. In Colorado, divorce mediation is required for divorces in nearly every county. Both parties involved in the divorce must prepare financial and tax documents which must occur before the mediation process. If children are involved, child-related issues must be worked out prior to mediation as well. The best time for mediation, therefore, is after these important details have been worked out, but before divorce proceedings start.
Divorce Mediators
A well-known, highly acclaimed, competent divorce mediator can save you time, money, and even peace of mind in the divorce process. Divorce mediation involves specially-trained mediators who are prepared to deal with the intricacies of legal separation. Divorce mediation is less costly and faster than a divorce trial. When choosing the right divorce mediator for you, make sure to consider their training, how long they have been working in the field, how many cases they have mediated, and their mediation style.
Divorce Counseling
Divorce is a stressful life event associated with stress, pain, anger, grief, shock, denial, depression, and other negative and overwhelming emotions. Emotional, physical, and spiritual support is necessary for parties undergoing a divorce or preparing for divorce mediation. Divorce counseling helps parties undergoing a divorce seek closure and move on to a new life. Divorce counseling can help parties deal with emotions and help the divorce mediation process go more smoothly. For example, working through angry emotions in therapy can help ensure that these emotions do not obscure the divorce mediation proceedings.
Be Understanding & Interested
During the divorce mediation process, it is important to be understanding of both parties as they go through a difficult time. It’s also important to be interested in the mediation process – be supportive, but avoid giving advice. This is important because divorce is a stressful time in a person’s life and understanding, interested people can help be a supportive ear for people undergoing divorce mediation proceedings. Both parties involved in preparing divorce mediation or divorce proceedings need support.
Participate & Compromise
Divorce mediation proceedings are all about compromise, because both parties must agree on all terms of the divorce. It’s important to get involved, participate, and engage in order to demonstrate your dedication to a positive outcome for the divorce proceedings. Remember to compromise without ceding too much in order to avoid getting taken advantage of.
Don’t Involve 3rd Parties or Make Financial Obligations
Don’t involve third parties in your divorce mediation process as it can affect the overall outcome by getting outside parties, who have no stake in the final outcome, involved. Avoid making financial obligations before and during divorce mediation to keep your options open, financially speaking, during the mediation proceedings. After all, your financial situation may change.
Divorce Mediation Documents
Divorce mediation requires that both parties provide several different types of documents. These documents include tax returns, pay stubs, real estate property valuations, W-2 forms, checking account information, life insurance policies, etc. For divorce in Colorado, the state requires these and a number of other forms before mediation begins. It is a good idea to speak with an experienced divorce lawyer or mediator to learn more about the specific forms, documents, and other information that one should prepare for a successful mediation process.