Divorce changes your marriage, your children and your finances. Add a long courtroom battle to the mix and your divorce can quickly become a bigger crisis. If you’re wondering how to divorce without going to court, mediation may be the best way to divide your assets and achieve child custody agreements without making the details of your divorce public.
What is Divorce Mediation?
During divorce mediation, you’ll work with neutral mediators and experts to work out all of the details of your divorce. Financial experts will help you identify and divide assets, while therapists will help you work out a Parenting Plan that benefits your children. Couples who resolve their divorces through mediation report greater satisfaction with the outcome of their divorce compared to couples who went to court.
How to Have a Successful Divorce Mediation
So how do you make your divorce mediation a success? You want a mediation that moves at a reasonable pace. Take your time, but keep in mind that stubbornness doesn’t pay and “winning” can cost you in the long run. The longer your mediation, the more expensive your divorce will be.
Prepare important documents.
If you’re working out a dispute, you need evidence to back up your position. Otherwise, what you say is just an opinion. Work with a divorce attorney to ensure you have all of the important documentation you need, particularly financial information like income tax returns and any documents relating to marital assets and debt.
Be realistic about the outcome.
You need to remain flexible during divorce mediation. Understand that you may not get everything you want, but it is not about who wins or loses. It’s about setting yourself up for a positive life post-divorce, one that keeps the best interests of your children in focus.
Compromise is everything.
In mediation either you will get what you want, your spouse will get what he or she wants, or both of you will need to compromise. Most decisions fall under the area of compromise. Be prepared to pick your battles and realize which ones aren’t worth fighting. Digging your heels in over every issue will only make your divorce longer and more expensive.
Communicate in a civil manner.
You want to stand up for yourself, but don’t be confrontational. Speak in a way that opens up discussion, rather than shutting it down. Remember: mediation is not a time to rehash past issues pertaining to your relationship. Keep the focus on moving forward and building a brighter future to avoid getting into old arguments that stall mediation.
Choose the right mediator.
You want to choose a mediator who has experience working with divorcing couples in the area of family law. At Sandia Family Law, our Albuquerque divorce mediators are experienced at providing neutral mediation that puts control over the outcome of your divorce in your hands.
Mediation allows you and your spouse to divorce at your own pace. While you want negotiations to move forward, remember that you can always ask for time before agreeing to or making a big decision.
Need Divorce Mediators in Albuquerque, NM?
If you are searching for divorce mediators in Albuquerque, choose the mediators at Sandia Family Law. We help you avoid the stress of a long courtroom battle by first helping you attempt to resolve your divorce outside of court. To meet with our mediators or learn more about our services, contact us at 505-247-1726.