Mediation
Mediation is a discussion led by an unbiased third party known as a mediator or “neutral.” Mediators help a couple negotiate decisions about the issues of divorce, which vary with a couple's situation, but are primarily parenting plans, child support, division of property, and marital support.
Mediation is confidential and lets you have a greater ability to control your divorce. The alternative is to let a judge, who does not know you, decide your future. In general, a mediated divorce is less expensive than a litigated divorce and takes less time.
Mediation may take about 4 sessions of 90 minutes each, or more depending upon the amount of agreement between the parties and the complexity of the family unit and estate.
We currently only meet virtually. We make every effort to meet at your convenience.
You will need to commit to using mediation and to participate in the decision-making process. You will also need to provide financial documents, as well as any other necessary documents, to develop a baseline for marital assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. This last requirement is necessary for a mediated divorce as well as a litigated divorce.
Mediation may take 4 or more sessions of 90 minutes each every other week. The outcome of mediation is a Memorandum of Understanding that you will have a review attorney turn into a legal document. The attorney will submit the required documents to the court and the court will issue the divorce decree. The amount of time this part of the process requires is dependent on the attorney's and court's schedule.
At that point, you would begin the process of a litigated divorce or go to binding arbitration.
Divorce Financial Analysis
Yes. Inform your attorneys that you want to try mediation and that you want to take a break from litigation.
A Divorce Financial Analyst is an experienced finance professional who has knowledge and training of the unique financial aspects of divorce. I am a financial professional who has had a career in finance, an MBA in finance, and a certification in divorce financial analysis.
Financial Neutrals are experienced, financial professionals. Your attorney, if you use one, is knowledgeable and experienced in the law. The Financial Neutral will convert your financial data of assets, liabilities, income, and expense into information that will enable you to make decisions based on the effective value of an asset or liability and the associated taxes. Each asset has a tax consequence when used or sold.
Yes. It is my recommendation that regardless of the type of divorce you choose – litigated, mediated, or collaborative – that you consult with a Divorce Financial Analyst.
Divorce Financial Analyst's fees can range from $200 to $400 an hour, sometimes with a retainer depending on the complexity of your estate.
It is recommended that a Divorce Financial Analyst be hired as soon as your divorce process starts. If not at that point, then, hopefully, before decisions are made regarding the separation of the family estate.
We will work with one party or with both parties.
We currently only meet virtually. We make every effort to meet at your convenience.