When you’re beginning the divorce process, especially if your divorce is filled with conflict, it might seem natural to pursue a divorce in court. Whether you want to stand in front of a judge to plead your case or not, though, it’s important to think of the benefits of divorce mediation as an alternative to the traditional lengthy legal process. Taking a divorce to court means you’ll have to go through a drawn-out, emotionally painful process that only creates more conflict. To avoid the time, money, and stress of an in-court divorce, use the Eagan, MN divorce mediation services available at Amber M. Serwat Mediation. We’ll make sure that you avoid a courtroom divorce by walking you through the steps of a divorce and ensuring that you and your spouse come to terms with a legally equitable divorce settlement, which includes three components: property division, financial support, and parenting planning.
Aid in Determining Property Division
Divorces are complicated legal agreements that must meet certain criteria in order to be lawful and fair. This means that, even if you and your spouse create a settlement based on what you both think is fair, it may not be legally equitable in the eyes of the court. That’s where a divorce mediator comes in. Property division can be a complex process in any divorce, as it considers the all property earned and purchased during a marriage, including all assets and debts. Splitting this property can be a complicated process, especially if you aren’t sure who legally owns specific assets or debts. A divorce mediator will help you determine which of your property is considered marital property, rather than personal property, and then help you split this property fairly.
Financial Support Settlement: Alimony and Child Support Agreements
Determining alimony and child support is another difficult process in any divorce, and it’s never as cut-and-dry as anyone would like. Just as property division must be legally equitable, so too must financial support settlements. Financial spousal support and child support are determined by evaluating the length of the marriage, each spouse’s ability to be financially self-supportive and supportive of any children, each spouse’s level of education and work history, and the standard of living to which each spouse and their children have become accustomed. These factors, though not the only things to be considered in determining alimony and child support, are carefully considered during divorce mediation.
Creating Parenting Plans for Custody and Visitation
The final of the three components to be considered in a divorce is a parenting plan. Because of the nature of custody battles and visitation settlements, it’s often best for spouses and their children to determine a parenting plan outside of an adversarial courtroom. Using an Eagan, Minnesota divorce mediator, you can create a fair parenting plan and visitation schedule that will best meet the needs of your children. Contact Amber M. Serwat Mediation today at 952-252-1492 or amber@amsmediationplus.com, and let a divorce mediator help you through the property division, financial support, and child custody agreements in your divorce.
