When Sarah and Mark realized their marriage was coming to an end, their biggest fear wasn’t the divorce itself, it was the thought of a long, expensive courtroom battle. Between juggling work, kids’ activities, and the emotional toll of separating, the idea of showing up in front of a judge felt overwhelming. They wanted a path that protected their children, respected their time, and didn’t drain their savings.
A Story Many Minnesota Families Can Relate To. When Sarah and Mark realized their marriage was ending, the hardest part wasn’t the separation, it was figuring out how to support their two kids through the transition. Between work schedules, school activities, and mounting tension at home, they struggled to find the time and space to sit down and create a parenting plan that truly worked. After one particularly stressful
When Sarah and Tom decided to separate after 15 years of marriage, they were both overwhelmed. Between raising two kids, managing finances, and maintaining a home, the idea of going through a long, expensive court battle felt unbearable. That’s when they heard about divorce mediation—a process that allowed them to work together with a neutral professional to reach their own agreements. They wondered, though: Would their mediated agreement carry the same weight as a legal settlement?
This is one of the most common questions individuals ask when exploring mediation, and it’s an important one.
Understanding the Rise of Gray Divorce. In recent years, a growing number of couples over 50 have chosen to end their marriages—a trend often referred to as “gray divorce.” While divorce at any age is emotionally challenging, couples later in life face unique issues that make the process more complex. In Minnesota, those nearing or already in retirement must navigate questions about financial stability, estate planning, and long-term care—all while trying to preserve dignity and respect for both parties.
Unlike younger couples, those in gray divorces often share decades of memories, adult children, and deeply intertwined finances. Traditional litigation can make this difficult transition even more painful
Once you have decided to take steps to end your marriage, you likely have already been down a very long and difficult road. Unfortunately, for couples who go through litigation, you can expect the divorce process to take many more months. However, mediation is an option for couples who are looking to move the process forward more quickly. Here is an overview of a basic timeline to expect when you use divorce mediation
The safety of clients, ourselves, and colleagues is our top priority while we remain available to assist you as you navigate the new and uncharted territory caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
While providing virtual ADR services was not part of our plan, we have made the necessary accommodations to ensure we can continue to serve our clients during these unsettling times. All services are currently available through virtually. We are using Zoom for videoconferencing. We suggest that you download this app to your phone or the program to your computer at https://zoom.us/download.
We have resumed limited in-person services for sessions with 1 or 2 participants scheduled for a maximum of 2 hours. Masks are required in our building and in session. Availability is subject to change based on local regulations and CDC guidelines.
Our office hours remain the same and we remain available by phone and email. The main office number is 952.252.1492. Gabe can be reached via email at gabe@amsmediationplus.com.
We offer free 1-hour divorce consultations via Zoom. Potential PC and PTE clients are invited to schedule a free 15-minute phone call. Please call 952.252.1492 to set up an appointment. We are here to help!
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all continue to adapt to these rapidly changing and chaotic times. Stay strong, stay resilient, and stay healthy!
Sincerely,
Amber Serwat & Gabe Frye
ADR Professional & ADR Assistant
