The Stages of the Divorce Mediation Process

As you go through the divorce mediation process, you can expect it to have several stages. Here’s a quick look at what the process may look like for you.

• Introduction: In the early, introductory phases of mediation, the mediator will meet with you, learn about you and your goals and begin laying the groundwork for everything to come. The mediator will explain the process and suggest an approach that will maximize your chances of a positive outcome. You’ll figure out where you and your spouse agree or disagree.
• Gathering information: In this phase, the mediator will ask you to provide as much information as possible about your case. This includes financial documents, mortgage statements, asset lists, information about children and anything else the mediator requests to help you all make sound decisions.
• Framing: In this stage, the mediator helps each of you determine why you want specific outcomes and what is important to you. You’ll discuss your goals, priorities and values. You’ll try to find areas where these interests overlap, as these overlaps will increase the likelihood of finding settlement options that address common concerns.
• Negotiations: After you’ve framed the issues, you can begin negotiating settlements. You’ll start with the areas you have the most in common to help you build up some momentum. Often, couples going through mediation find agreeing on issues becomes easier when they’ve already been able to resolve some issues and make some compromises.
• Conclusion: Upon negotiation of all the issues, the tentative settlement will be put into writing for your review, and ultimately for submission to the court.

For more information about the stages of divorce mediation, contact an experienced Long Island divorce lawyer at Solutions Divorce Mediation.