Have you made the tough decision to move forward with a divorce? Have you decided to try mediation as a first step in hopes you can settle things without a stressful court battle? If so, you may be thinking about how best to prepare for the process to ensure you have the best possible chance for success. Here are some tips for making sure that your divorce mediation process is productive and successful:
1. Hire a divorce mediator you connect with: You have choices when it comes to a divorce mediator, so do your homework and make sure that you are working with someone who is both competent, knowledgeable in the law and that you connect with. It is important that you trust your mediator and feel comfortable communicating with him/her.
2. Understand the goals of mediation and be ready to compromise: It is important to understand exactly what mediation is – and is not. Mediation allows you a forum to discuss the issues that you need to resolve. Your mediator does not make the decisions but empowers you to. The foundation of mediation is compromise. You should know this going into the process so that your expectations are reasonable and accurate.
3. Keep an open mind and actively participate: You and your spouse will be the ones making the ultimate decisions about how to settle the terms of your divorce, including making decisions about parenting time, custody, division of property and spousal support. Leave the raw emotion and anger behind you and focus on your future and the future of your family.
4. Put any major financial decisions on hold until you complete the mediation process: Divorce is a costly process no matter how you look at it. So, if you have a major financial decision to make, you may want to put it on pause until the divorce is final and you know where you stand financially.
5. Be ready to articulate your goals and priorities: Mediation is all about compromise and in order to do that, you should clearly be able to state your priorities and goals. If something is important to you, be open about that and if something is important to your ex, be willing to give in that area. Thinking about your goals and priorities ahead of time will reduce the overall conflict.
Minnesota Divorce Mediation
Mediation is an excellent way to resolve the terms of your divorce with less stress and less financial and emotional burden than a court battle. If you have questions about the divorce mediation process or would like to discuss your case, call AMS Mediation at 952-252-1492.
