If you and your spouse have made the difficult decision to divorce, you have very likely already spent countless days, months and even years weighing the pros and cons of divorce and trying to make the best possible decision for your family. There is nothing easy about making the decision to end your marriage and there is no way to adequately prepare for the process. By the time the decision is made, you may be very ready to move forward and begin your new life, but you still need to settle a wide range of complex issues including division of property, debt and assets, development of a fair and equitable parenting plan (or custody agreement) and determination of spousal and/or child support. This process can take months, if not longer, if you move through the traditional court system.
Divorce Mediation: What to Expect
If you decide to pursue divorce mediation to settle the terms of your divorce, you can reasonably expect that the process will take much less time than a court battle. Here is some basic information about the average timeframe and the mediation process.
- You can generally expect to be able to settle your divorce with the help of an experienced mediator in 3-4 two hour mediation sessions. These sessions are usually spread out and scheduled roughly two weeks apart. Once the mediation sessions are complete, it will take another 1-8 weeks for the court to process your legal documents.
- Each divorce is unique and even the most complicated cases can be settled by mediation. What is critical to understand is that with mediation, you can actually influence how long the process takes. The more prepared you are going into the mediation sessions, the less time they will take. Specifically, supplying the requested documentation and answering other questions in the initial meeting will go a long way toward a smooth process.
- Keep in mind that it is possible that you and your spouse enter this process from a different place of emotional readiness. These differences can lead to increased conflict during the mediation process and your mediator will work closely with both of you to give you the best possible chance of success.
Experienced Divorce Mediation, Burnsville
AMS Mediation specializes in divorce mediation for couples in the Burnsville, MN area. Our team understands that divorce is difficult and that you may be ready for the next step, or you may not. We can help you no matter where you are and explain the mediation process so that you can decide if it is something that you want to pursue. For more information or to schedule a free consultation with Amber Serwat, call 952.252.1492 today.
