Keep an open mind and clear head during divorce mediation
The mental trauma of going through a divorce is something that some people don’t expect. Even if you are the one who decides that divorce is the best thing, you are likely still going to have some emotional reaction to the filing and finalization that signals the end of your marriage.
If you are going through mediation to end your marriage and get the terms of the divorce settled, you have to make sure that you don’t let your emotions stand in the way of making progress. Your emotional ties to the marriage and the assets could hinder you from being able to negotiate.
Negotiations are the key to getting the divorce terms worked out. You have to be willing to stop and think about how various terms will work out for you. While you are going through the negotiations, make sure that you take the time to listen to what is being said and offered. This can be difficult, but being able to distance your emotions can help.
One thing that you can do that might help you to remain focused on the issues is to do your research before the negotiation process starts. If you have a marital home, for example, know the value, what is owed on it, what the typical upkeep is and any other factors that could affect the home or your finances in the future. Being armed with facts and figures could help you out.
While you are going through the mediation process, try to stay positive. It is easy to be discouraged when it seems like progress is slow. Sometimes, slow progress is exactly what you need to give you time to ensure that the issues you think are important are addressed.
Source: Family Affairs, “7 Tips on Preparing for Divorce Mediation,” Joy Rosenthal, accessed Oct. 13, 2016
Laughlin & Company Lawyers Mediators
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