One of the most difficult aspects of a divorce for parents is the impact it has on their children. Sitting down with your kids to let them know that you have decided to separate is extremely difficult emotionally for all involved. If you are able to communicate clearly and plan well, you can minimize the pain that your children will feel. Of course, there is no way to take all of the pain away – divorce is hard.
Many people assume that working with a lawyer to navigate a divorce is a necessary path forward. The assumption is that a lawyer will fight for your rights and help you “win” a settlement that will be in your best interest long-term. This win/lose outcome is one of the most problematic aspects of settling your divorce with the courts. Litigation is adversarial and pits you and your ex against each other. This is difficult during the divorce but also has its drawbacks when it comes to the aftermath as well. Particularly if you share children, finding common ground is much more important than winning a single battle. Mediation offers you a safe and effective way to resolve the important aspects of your divorce without a win/lose solution.
In a year like no other, 2020 has brought its fair share of uncertainty, stress and fear to families all over the country. With families spending much more time in their homes together, conflict is sometimes unavoidable. If you have contemplated divorce in the past but are feeling more certain than ever that it is the best path forward for you and your family, here are some practical tips for navigating your divorce in 2020:
While no one wished for the COVID-19 pandemic to descend on our country and the world, it has. For now, we should all follow health guidelines and practice social distancing when possible and wear face coverings to protect ourselves and others from the spread of the disease. These changes have disrupted nearly every aspect of our lives, and many local businesses have been forced to adapt to meet the moment.
While none of us would choose to be fighting the COVID-19 pandemic this year, we can all agree that this is a time to keep our community safe. AMS Mediation has made a commitment to safely offer Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services during this uncertain time. This means that you can work with our team virtually to resolve issues related to divorce, child custody, parenting disputes and many others. We have transitioned our services online so that you are able to move forward with the issues you face
AMS Mediation offers divorcing couples the services of a professional Custody Evaluator (CE) for those living in Dakota County, Minnesota. Couples who decide to get divorced experience a great deal of stress. When a divorcing couple also share children, the stress is magnified. A custody evaluation involves a professional assessment of what is in the best interest of your children regarding the custody agreement in your divorce settlement. The process involves extensive interviews and psychological assessments to ensure that your children are put in the best possible situation following your divorce. AMS Mediation’s custody evaluation process often involves observing the parents’ interactions with their children
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
