The final product of the divorce mediation process is called a Memorandum of Agreement. This document can contain details about your settlement, including information about how you will divide your property, your parenting plan and/or custody agreement and even details about spousal support or child support payments. This agreement is not legally binding until it has been submitted to the Courts and the Court has accepted it. Generally, after you complete the mediation process, you and your ex hire a neutral attorney (or if you are represented already during mediation, you can use one of your attorneys) to complete the legal process and file the documents with the court.
Effective Way To Navigate The Divorce Process
The mediation process is a highly effective way to navigate the divorce process, without having to leave the decisions about your future to a judge. You can complete the entire mediation process without hiring lawyers, and then once you have decided how to settle the terms of your divorce, an attorney can help you take the final step to file the documents with the court. AMS Mediation is a trusted mediation firm in Minnesota that can help you understand the steps of mediation so that you can complete the process with confidence, save money and time and relieve yourself of the significant stress of a court battle.
You and your family are the winners if you choose mediation to settle your divorce. Very often, no one is happy when you settle your divorce in litigation. With mediation, you and your ex can find ways to compromise and settle your differences. No one knows your family better than you do. Mediation also puts you in the best possible position to settle issues that will inevitably come up after your divorce is final. Co-parenting is complicated and can be an entirely new dynamic. Mediation can set a positive tone for the relationship that you will build with your ex after you begin your lives apart.
The mediation process generally follows the following steps:
1. Developing and agreeing on an action plan and list of priorities to focus on.
2. Gather pertinent information that will be shared with other party and the mediator (this may include financial documents and other personal records);
3. Determine whether you need the support or assistance of other professionals including lawyers, appraisers, accountants, etc.
4. Share the information that you gathered about your joint property and make decisions about how best to divide it.
5. Create reasonable budgets for 2 separate households
6. Make a determination about whether spousal or child support is necessary based on financial review.
7. Develop a parenting plan
AMS Mediation can help you follow the steps that you will need to complete the divorce process and file the agreement with the Courts. For more information, call us at 952-252-1492.
