When you choose mediation

 Posted on May 08, 2017 in Divorce Mediation

You and your spouse have agreed that your marriage relationship is over, and you are both ready to free each other from your legal and emotional bonds. However, taking the steps to get from there to the beginning of your new start in life may seem overwhelming. Since you do not want to battle it out in court, a mediator may be able to provide you with all the services you need.

A mediator can help you and your spouse with the practical aspects of the divorce, including filing the petition and completing paperwork. He or she may also be able to lessen any emotional trauma by providing you with a neutral, third-party perspective and offering dispute resolution services as you work on the property division agreement.

Preparation

You and your spouse will prepare for mediation by attending a consultation and learning what materials you must gather in order to prepare your agreement and file for divorce. You will need to provide information about the following:

• Financial assets
• All sources of income
• Debts and liabilities

While in some states, spouses must divide marital assets and debts “fairly” based on a number of factors, Texas is a community property state. This means you and your spouse will be dividing everything equally between the two of you, fifty-fifty.

The Process

You do not have to come to your mediation session ready to sign documents. You will discuss any concerns you have over property division and work them out satisfactorily before you sign an agreement. Mediators are skilled at resolving conflict and helping couples set aside emotions and address disputes rationally so that no one feels the outcome is unequal.

The changes that come with divorce may be traumatic at first, and you may need some time to heal. A trained and skilled mediator who has a Texas certification to handle cases like yours can reduce the time it takes for you to deal with your issues effectively.