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MEDIATION

WITHOUT ATTORNEYS

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FREE CONSULTATION

We’ll coordinate a virtual Zoom meeting with both of you based on what works best in your schedules.  This meeting provides you with an opportunity to determine if we are a right fit for you.  Together, we will discuss our process and how we can work best with you.   If we are a good fit, following the meeting, both of you will sign a fee agreement outlining our services and costs. 

JOINT MEETING AND EDUCATION SESSION

​After retaining our services, we will have a joint meeting with the two of you to further discuss the process and to provide you with the legal information you need to make your own informed decisions and create a plan for moving forward into the next chapter of your lives.

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Most couples going through divorce are not fully informed of all the financial and legal issues that must be addressed in a Marital Settlement Agreement - many feel lost and overwhelmed. During this educational session, we will walk through the issues that will be addressed in your unique circumstances and make sure you have all the necessary information to make informed and intelligent decisions. There is a lot of information to absorb, and it is vital that you understand the implications of the decision you make throughout this process. In addition to this joint session, you will receive additional material in writing and access to informational videos.  

INFORMATION GATHERING

All couples are required to prepare and file a financial disclosure statement outlining of their income, assets, debts, and expenses.  Everything must be disclosed, even if you both have an agreement ahead of time as to who will receive what.  Once all the information is received, we can prepare your financial disclosure statement.

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In addition to assembling these financial documents, we will explore and identify each of your goals and expectations so that we can clearly identify issues that will resolve easily, and those that could be more challenging.  Once we have that complete picture, we can start identifying those win-win options that we will review during the mediation sessions.

MEDIATION – CONDUCTED IN ONE OR MORE SESSIONS

Prior to each mediation session, you will receive an agenda outlining the issues we will discuss so that you never feel an issue is sprung on you.  Surprises often cause delays and unnecessary conflict.  If an additional session is needed, we outline the topics that will be addressed so you are actively involved in creating that agenda.  This allows us to move forward as efficiently as possible.

FINALIZE AGREEMENT

Once agreements have been reached, we memorialize those agreements into the Marital Settlement Agreement.  We understand how important it is for a quick turnaround as delays can cause the agreements to unravel. 


A typical Marital Settlement Agreement includes:


  • Custody and placement of any minor children

    • Custody: who makes major decisions.

    • Placement: the schedule outlining when the children are with each parent.

  • Child Support and allocation of expenses

  • Spousal Support (aka Maintenance or Alimony)

  • Division and allocation of personal property, household goods and furnishings, interests in any businesses or company stock/options plans, and bank/investment accounts.

  • Division and allocation of retirement benefits, including defined benefit plans (i.e. pensions), defined contribution plans (i.e. 401(k)), and other retirement plans

  • Division and allocation of Real Estate

  • Division and assignment of any debts that either of you may have.

  • Federal and state income taxes


Your agreement may also include provisions unique to your individual circumstances such as those related to medical or life insurance coverage or college education expenses.


Your agreement provides you with confidence that all important issues are addressed and nothing has been overlooked or left out.

FINAL HEARING

After the 120-day waiting period has passed and all documentation has been e-filed, the Court will schedule your final hearing.  This hearing typically lasts 20 minutes.  The Court will ask questions to confirm that you both understand all the terms that you agreed to and that you signed freely and voluntarily.  During that hearing, the Court will grant you a Judgment of Divorce.

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