Go through divorce peacefully
When anticipating a divorce, many people's first thought is to “lawyer up”, and approach the process in an adversarial way.
This adversarial approach is stressful and slow—and very expensive.
Divorce mediation offers a much better process to help couples go through divorce in a way that is more effective and less expensive.
How it works
In mediation, you and your spouse talk through the different details of the divorce, facilitated by the mediator.
You take the time to come to a solution that will work for both of you (and your children, if any).
This doesn’t mean that mediation is always smooth and easy. It’s normal to have some conflict as you go through the process. If you do, the mediator will help facilitate an effective discussion and negotiation.
What you’ll cover
The mediator will guide you through the many decisions you’ll need to make in order to file the paperwork for divorce.
You will cover the following aspects:
- Asset division: Real estate, retirement, etc.
- Debt division: Credit card debt, loans.
- Spousal support (alimony): If applicable, amount and duration of alimony. (See the guidelines for alimony in Vermont.)
- Parenting plan: Parent-child contact schedule, parental rights and responsibilities (“custody”), holidays, etc.
- Child support
Divorce Filing
Once you have come to agreement on all the details, Erik can create the court paperwork for you to file.
You can review the paperwork with an attorney if you like, and when you are both ready, you can sign and file
the paperwork with the court as an uncontested divorce.
Divorce mediation offers many benefits.
- Save money
- Divorce mediation costs far less than a legal-only approach to divorce, which typically costs thousands of dollars for each spouse.
- Control the outcome
- In court, the judge will decide for you, and the outcome is out of your hands. Divorce mediation allows you and your spouse to craft a mutually benificial solution.
- Reduce conflict
- Ad adversarial approach creates a narrow mindset of a zero-sum game, limiting your options and creating more conflict. Mediation helps you craft on a solution that works for both spouses, reducing conflict and stress.
- Get along post-divorce
- Reaching an agreement that will work for both of you will preserve your working relationship after the divorce, making it easier to work together for the benefit of your children.
Erik helped us to navigate a very challenging time with his mediation service.
I highly recommend mediation for divorce over lawyers no matter what your income bracket and assets may be.
