You and your spouse have decided to get a divorce. Like most people, you’re probably not exactly thrilled about the situation. However, money is limited and you want to move on with your life as quickly as possible.
Enter mediation. Mediation allows you and your spouse to make decisions about important aspects, such as property division, child custody, and alimony. It allows you to avoid court, which can be costly. So mediation allows you to save money and make decisions that serve you best.
However, you do need to be prepared. It needs to be a joint decision, so you can’t coerce your spouse to be there. For best results, you both need to be willing participants. Once you both have agreed to mediation, here’s what you need to do next to prepare.
Get Organized
Only you and your spouse know what assets you have, so make a list now. You’ll need to account for everything you own, including:
- Real property (marital home, vacation homes, rental properties)
- Personal property (books, DVDs, artwork, jewelry, furniture)
- Vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats)
- Bank accounts
- Credit cards
- Retirement accounts
- Life insurance policies
You’ll need to account for all income sources (such as through pay stubs and bank statements). You also need to account for regular expenses, such as food and utilities, as well as debts, including credit cards, loans, and mortgages.
Set Goals
What do you want in the divorce? Do you want to keep the marital home? Are you adamant about getting the sports car? Think about the things that are important to you and what you can live without. Can you afford to keep the item based on your new income and budget after the divorce? Make sure to keep all this in mind. Also, don’t bring children into the mix. Your asset goals should not be based on your children. They should not be influencing any of your decisions in these matters.
Find the Right Mediator
Not all mediators are created equal. Not all have the appropriate training and experience to mediate divorce cases. In fact, anyone can be a mediator in a divorce case as long as both parties are satisfied with the mediator. However, the person you choose should be well-trained and experienced in basic mediation, with a focus on family law. They should also have the appropriate education and have experience mediating cases. Take some time to research and find the right person for your divorce case. You want a mediator who can effectively guide you through the process.
Contact Us Today
When it comes to divorce, mediation is better than going to court. However, you need to properly prepare to get the best results possible.
At Alliance Law Group, we encourage our clients to agree with their spouses. It just makes things easier. If you’re interested in a quicker, less stressful divorce, see how we can help. Schedule a consultation today by filling out the online form or calling 253-300-2055.