How can Mediation help?
by Amber M. Serwat
Mediation is a very effective way to settle the important terms of your divorce, rather than having to go through the tough, painful, lengthy and costly litigation process. The state of Minnesota encourages all couples to attempt an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process BEFORE bringing their case to court. Mediation is the most common ADR process because it provides a forum where a neutral third party (your mediator) facilitates communication between the two parties (and their attorneys if applicable) to promote a settlement. AMS Mediation provides affordable, client-centered mediation services for couples that empowers them to resolve issues in a fair and healthy way.
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AMS Mediation lets you know what to expect from mediation. You have at least one thing in common with many others who have found themselves searching for a mediator. In most cases, the expectations that people have prior to working with a mediator have to do with the enforce-ability of the agreements reached and whether or not the process will be fair. If the mediator with whom you are working is as well trained and experienced as Amber Serwat of AMS Mediation, it is likely that your expectations will be exceeded.
If the court system has ordered you and your spouse to engage in court ordered mediation in MN, AMS Mediation is there for you. You may have initial concerns about the process and whether it will work for your situation. Mediation, after all, is supposed to be a voluntary process for couples who wish to avoid the court-based processes of divorce. In the state of Minnesota, the courts always recommend mediation before litigation to save you time and money. 
For many, divorce only happens once in your lifetime, if at all. It is considered a major life event, filled with stress, emotion and a great deal of uncertainty. Part of that stress and uncertainty comes from the unknown – life as you know it is changing, you may have to relocate, share custody of your children and rethink financial decisions. The divorce process can contribute to the stress as well – after all, you’ve likely never been through a divorce before.
One of the most stressful aspects of a divorce can be the enormous financial strain that it can put on both parties. Separating your life from your spouse can mean big financial changes related to where you will live, health insurance, and a decrease to your overall standard of living. A long court battle can also add to the financial costs associated with divorce, with litigation costing couples $15,000 on average
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is defined as a means of settling a dispute without litigation, or a court battle. ADR is an alternative to litigation and can save individuals time and money and can reduce the burden on the very busy court system. Alternative dispute resolution can come in several forms including mediation, early neutral evaluation, negotiation, and arbitration. Minnesota courts actually strongly encourage individuals and their attorneys to solve issues via alternative dispute resolution before proceeding with a court proceeding. AMS Mediation specializes in offering those in the Minnesota area a thorough and effective option for mediation