Divorce may be a stressful experience. Depending on the couple’s situation, there may be numerous issues to address regarding children, domestic support, and property division. With mediation, there is a chance that you and your spouse can reach an agreement on some of the lingering concerns, making it a more cost-effective way to settle your divorce.
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Learn more about how to prepare for mediation.
It is possible to work out a mutually beneficial divorce settlement with the assistance of a Michigan divorce lawyer without the need for a protracted, expensive, and traumatic court battle.
What is Michigan Divorce Mediation?
Divorce mediation is the practice of discussing a resolution of divorce-related concerns with the help of a neutral third party. Mediation might be mandated by the court or sought by the couple on their own. The mediator facilitates conversations about a variety of subjects during mediation. While the parties are free to share their ideas and fears, the mediator maintains the parties’ focus on pertinent topics and potential resolutions.
A mediator is not authorized to make choices for the couple. The main purpose of the mediator is to enable open conversations aimed at resolving conflicts. Mediators are educated to assist parties in tackling the issues at hand rather than blaming one another. The mediator assists couples in having civil and effective discussions.
One advantage of mediation is that the parties have greater control over how issues are handled, rather than allowing a court to do so
What to Expect During Michigan Divorce Mediation
Although the conversations during mediation are distinctive to the couple, the divorce mediation procedure is typically the same for all spouses. The mediator usually starts by discussing the mediation process and responding to questions the parties may have. During mediation, the mediator invites each side to take a stance about any problems or issues they wish to address.
The mediator helps the couple in developing a mediation program. The program covers the topics that the parties wish to settle as well as the suggested mediation schedule. Divorce mediation might lead to a settlement after only one session. Some spouses, though, may meet multiple times during divorce mediation to reach an agreement.
The mediator tackles each matter one after the other. The mediator may propose new ideas or approaches to generate more options for addressing each issue. Throughout the discussion, the mediator keeps note of each party’s different proposals.
If the parties achieve a settlement, the mediator will draft a Memorandum of Agreement outlining the terms of the agreement. This agreement will subsequently be included in the final divorce decree. However, if the parties cannot reach an agreement, the case proceeds to a hearing where a judge will express an opinion and issue an order to resolve the disputed matters.
Consult a Michigan Divorce Lawyer for Assistance
Mediators do not give legal advice, and there are times when divorce mediation is not recommended. That is why you should seek the advice of a Michigan divorce lawyer. Our skilled attorneys at Goldman and Associates can help you prepare and guide you on what to expect during divorce mediation. Set up an appointment today.