How to prepare for divorce mediation

Mediation has many potential advantages in divorce. It can be less expensive and faster than trial or traditional negotiation. It also tends to reduce the animosity that is so common in divorce, which can be particularly important in cases where divorcing parents will have to continue to work together on their parenting duties. However, mediation is not always easy and can require a good deal of preparation.

Basic guidelines

There are many actions people can take to prepare themselves for divorce mediation. The exact steps depend upon the unique circumstances of any case, but here are some guidelines for how people can prepare themselves for divorce mediation:

• Doing their homework: It is important to plan in advance for divorce-related topics that will need to be covered during the divorce including property division, child support, child custody and spousal support. Divorcing spouses should understand how each is handled and decide what their desired outcome for each is.
• Taking into account future needs: Each spouse’s financial picture is likely to change following divorce. It is important to understand beforehand how that picture will look different after their divorce and what the spouse needs to be financially secure following divorce.
• Staying focused on the children: It is easy to focus on different things that come up during the divorce process, but divorcing parents should maintain a careful focus on their child’s emotional and financial wellbeing during and after the divorce process.

Divorce can bring up many emotions for everyone but the divorce mediation process can help create a less stressful experience for parents and children alike. An experienced North Carolina attorney can explain the options for ending a marriage and help people decide whether mediation is right for them.