How to Prepare for Divorce Mediation

How To Prepare for Divorce Mediation

Learn what to expect in divorce mediation and how to prepare for it below.

1. Learn About Divorce Mediation

Divorce mediation is a common way to negotiate an out-of-court settlement between you and your spouse. In divorce mediation, you and your soon to be ex-spouse hire a neutral third party known as a mediator. The purpose of mediation is to help both of you identify and resolve divorce issues. Divorce mediation can be used to address a wide range of topics including but not limited to parenting plans, child support, custody arrangements, and division of assets.

2. Research the Benefits

Divorce mediation is a faster process, gives you control over the divorce process, and it costs less than a litigated divorce in court. Read more about the benefits of divorce mediation.

3. Know What to Expect from the Process

Mediation is an 8-step process that includes choosing your mediator, meeting with the mediator and providing information, attending divorce mediation meetings, compromising and negotiating a marriage settlement agreement, preparing documents, and filing the formal settlement agreement with the court. Learn more about the divorce mediation process.

4. Look Up Divorce Mediation Costs

While the divorce mediation process is not for everyone, it can save you money, stress, and hassle when compared to a litigated divorce. The average cost of a mediator is about $200 per hour with average prices ranging from $100 to $300 per hour in the US for 2020 according to Thumbtack. Learn more about divorce mediation costs.

5. Study the Pros and Cons

With divorce mediation, you and your spouse have more control over the outcome of the divorce process. There is no battling in court, and you get to keep your divorce matter private. One of the biggest pros of mediation is that you do not have to hire a lawyer. According to BestLegalChoices, “Many people choose mediation for the very reason that the parties are not required to be represented by counsel in order to participate”.

6. Compare Hiring a Mediator vs a Lawyer

An attorney is only allowed to represent and advocate for one spouse in court, vs a mediator works with both parties to help them reach a negotiated divorce agreement out-of-court. Lawyers can give legal advice, mediators can’t. If your spouse is hiring a lawyer, it might be a good idea for you to hire one too. Otherwise you have no attorney looking out for your best interests. There are a few reasons why some people might want to hire a lawyer vs a mediator and vice versa. Read more about the differences between a divorce mediator vs a lawyer.

7. Use a Divorce Mediation Checklist

Use a checklist to make sure you are not forgetting anything. Your mediator will request information and documentation about assets, income, liabilities, insurance, taxes, and more. Read more about what your mediator will request before your mediation sessions by checking out our divorce mediation checklist.

8. Read Divorce Mediation Tips

Reading divorce mediation tips will help you get better prepared for mediation. Setting goals before mediation can help you avoid wasting time and speed up the mediation process. The most important tip is to find the right mediator that has experience with the types of issues in your situation. Read more helpful divorce mediation tips.

9. Find a Good Divorce Mediator

It is important to choose the right mediator. Not every mediator is created equal. Make sure you choose a mediator that specializes in mediation. That way you know you are dealing with an experienced mediator that isn’t going to waste your time and money. Mediator charge between $100 to $300 an hour so you want to make sure you are making good use of your time. According to APFM, “The issues and considerations in divorce mediation are different than another other area of mediation, and very different than divorce litigation. A lawyer who mediates “sometimes,” or a mediator who “mediates every kind of case,” will likely provide you with less experience and effectiveness than one who specializes in divorce mediation”. Learn more about how to find a divorce mediator.

10. Make the Decision to Mediate

You and your spouse must both agree to mediate as it is a voluntary process. Talk to your spouse and do plenty of research to make sure mediation is right for your family. Don’t try to force your spouse to mediate. According to RocketLawyer, “Strong-arming your spouse might get him or her to the table, but the mediation won’t be effective and you’ll end up wasting time and money”.

Save Money with Online Divorce Mediation

Consider virtual online divorce mediation services. You can still get a divorce mediation agreement even if the courts are closed. We offer online divorce mediation services via video conferencing platforms. Online divorce mediation will allow you to meet with your spouse and a divorce mediator from anywhere in the world. Let us show you virtual divorce mediation online can be a perfect solution to allow you to end your marriage today without ending your family.

Divorce mediation online costs about $200 to $400 per hour vs typical divorce mediation services where you meet in-person which can cost upwards of $500 to $1,500 on average. Learn more about online divorce mediation.

Speak with a Divorce Mediator Today

Ogborne Law, PLC offers affordable divorce mediation services (online and in-person). While the divorce mediation process is not for everyone, it can save you money, stress, and hassle. Speak with a professional divorce mediator to find out if divorce mediation is right for your family.

Let us show you how divorce mediation can be a perfect solution to allow you to end your marriage today without ending your family.

If you’re ready to start your consultation with Ogborne Law, visit our Mediation Consultation request page.

Ogborne Law can help with divorce mediation in Phoenix, Arizona, and surrounding areas. Our law office is located at 5020 E Shea Blvd Suite 240, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 inside the Paradise Valley Plaza.