Mediation is an alternative approach to divorce litigation that has gained in popularity in recent years…and for good reason. The point of mediation is to decrease, not increase, tension and adversarial stances during what’s already a difficult time.
Contrary to popular belief, you and your spouse/partner don’t have to be "amicable" to benefit from mediation. If necessary, I can meet with each of you in separate rooms as agreements are being suggested and constructed.
It’s important to note that, as a paralegal/mediator, I don’t represent you or your spouse/partner. Instead, I facilitate communications between the two of you so that you can arrive at equitable and fair agreements on all of the issues surrounding divorce/separation, most notably children and money. As a paralegal/mediator, I can’t offer you legal advice, but I will help you get divorced as easily and amicably as possible.
Here’s how the divorce mediation process works, from beginning to end:
- initial meeting with divorce mediator Colleen McManamon
- draft divorce documents
- review divorce documents
- start mediation (typically spend 2-3 hours per session on one or two topics)
- more mediation sessions, as needed, to tackle all relevant issues
- draft agreements (Memorandums of Understanding or Stipulated Parenting Plans)
- sign the agreements
- file with the courts (the Memorandums of Understanding and Decree of Dissolution or Decree of Legal Separation)
- court appearance (might or might not be necessary, depending on your circumstances)
- judge or magistrate enters the divorce decree and orders
- divorce is finalized
Mediation can be used not only for divorces, but also for modifications on existing court orders or decrees for family issues surrounding divorce, such as:
- parenting plans
- allocation of parental responsibilities
- child support
For more information on the mediation process, please call (303) 591-8985, or e-mail info@mediateddissolutions.com.