Divorce is one of the most difficult of all life events you can experience. It is generally compared in terms of stress to the loss of a close family member, the news of a serious illness or a sudden move. Finding a way to cope with the emotional and financial stress is a really important part of navigating the divorce process. There are some things that you can do as you process this life
The Minnesota court system actually encourages all couples who are entering into the divorce process to try mediation before they move forward with litigation. This comes as a surprise to many couples, assuming that hiring lawyers and bringing their case in front of a judge is the only way forward. Over the last decade (or more), mediation has proven to be a highly effective, affordable way to settle the terms of a divorce with less conflict
If you have decided to use mediation to settle the terms of your divorce, you already know that you will likely complete the process more quickly and spend less than you would in litigation. In fact, that may have been the driver for choosing this alternative dispute resolution (ADR) service. Once you have made this decision, it is time to get ready for the process. Here are some negotiating tips to use during mediation to put you and your family in the best possible situation for success:
If you have recently been through a divorce or are separated from your spouse and are navigating the process now, the idea of the upcoming holiday season may be very stressful. The first holidays during or after a divorce can be especially difficult for families with kids, as they adjust to a life of sharing custody. Here are 5 tips for making it through the holiday season and making the best of your new situation this year
Each state has specific divorce laws, so it is important to understand the specific guidelines in your state if you are planning to seek a divorce. In the state of Minnesota, you are not required to complete a legal separation before your divorce and an uncontested divorce can take as few as 4-6 weeks to complete. This is much faster than the process in other states. Minnesota is a “no fault” state, so you do not have to prove your spouse did something wrong in order for a divorce to be granted. This also means that the court cannot consider who is at fault when they are making decisions about your divorce settlement.
When you are settling the terms of your divorce, deciding how to coordinate custody for your children and ultimately how to co-parent after divorce, you cannot go through the courts every time you hit a bump in the road. The Minnesota court system is backed up and it can take weeks if not months to get a hearing date, which can lead to increased conflict and stress as you wait to take your problem forward. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services offer an option that does not involve the courtroom, a judge and lawyers to litigate the multiple issues surrounding your divorce. The Minnesota courts even encourage couples to try an ADR service
The safety of clients, ourselves, and colleagues is our top priority while we remain available to assist you as you navigate the new and uncharted territory caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
While providing virtual ADR services was not part of our plan, we have made the necessary accommodations to ensure we can continue to serve our clients during these unsettling times. All services are currently available through virtually. We are using Zoom for videoconferencing. We suggest that you download this app to your phone or the program to your computer at https://zoom.us/download.
We have resumed limited in-person services for sessions with 1 or 2 participants scheduled for a maximum of 2 hours. Masks are required in our building and in session. Availability is subject to change based on local regulations and CDC guidelines.
Our office hours remain the same and we remain available by phone and email. The main office number is 952.252.1492. Gabe can be reached via email at gabe@amsmediationplus.com.
We offer free 1-hour divorce consultations via Zoom. Potential PC and PTE clients are invited to schedule a free 15-minute phone call. Please call 952.252.1492 to set up an appointment. We are here to help!
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all continue to adapt to these rapidly changing and chaotic times. Stay strong, stay resilient, and stay healthy!
Sincerely,
Amber Serwat & Gabe Frye
ADR Professional & ADR Assistant
