In divorce mediation, both spouses must meet with a trained, neutral mediator in an informal setting to settle their issues and record the settlement in an agreement. After the couple has prepared the agreement, they can file an “uncontested” divorce with the court. The court often fast-tracks uncontested cases since everything has already been worked out in advance. In this case, judges can finalize the divorce within a few months. In that case, see if mediation services in Hauppauge, NY, can help you!
A mediator can help you and your spouse reaches an agreement on the issues that need resolving to finalize a divorce. Important decisions such as child custody, child support, and property division may need to be settled in mediation. Mediators do not make decisions or offer legal advice. They simply serve as facilitators to help the divorcing spouses reach an agreement best for their situation.
Benefits of Divorce Mediation
Settling a divorce through mediation services in Hauppauge, NY, is a better route for many couples for several reasons.
- Mediation costs much less than a trial.
- Mediation is confidential, so there will be no public record of what goes on in your sessions.
- Mediation allows you to resolve issues based on your own ideas and wants rather than have a solution imposed on you in a legal setting.
- You can still use a lawyer for advice in mediation.
- You and your spouse control the process, not the court.
Mediating your divorce rather than litigating it can serve couples in many ways for different reasons. It can be less time-consuming and stressful for many people.
The Divorce Mediation Process
Although each mediator has their style, there is a general process of divorce mediation services in Hauppauge, NY. Before mediation, you will provide background information to the mediator or an assistant. Things like your marriage, family, and issues in your divorce should be noted. The mediator may have you write a “mediation statement,” which outlines your information and the issues you want to resolve in the divorce process.
During mediation, you might be in the same room as your spouse for the entire mediation or spend time in separate rooms for private discussions. For those using an attorney, the mediator might want to meet with each side privately before starting the session. You and your spouse will decide what you do and don’t agree on. After negotiations, the mediator will write an agreement. The settlement agreement will only include the topics that were resolved during this mediation. If there are topics that were not settled, you will have to find some type of agreement or go to court for a hearing. Some mediators will help you file your divorce paperwork, while others do not. If the court approves your settlement agreement, it will become part of the final divorce decree. Then, the terms of the agreement are enforceable.
Mediation Services in Hauppauge, NY
If you are looking to take the route of mediation for your divorce, Gulotta & Gulotta can settle your agreement. For the best mediation services in Hauppauge, NY, contact us today! *Prior Results Do Not Guarantee Future Outcomes*
