Mediation Overview:
Your mediation is confidential. What happens in the mediation cannot be used in litigation of the matters discussed in mediation. Mediation is voluntary. Your mediator(s) are neutral third-parties with no authority to decide any issues or make you agree to anything in the mediation. Your mediator may have many possible solutions for you to choose from that you may not have considered.
Our approach is designed to make the mediation process as helpful and efficient as possible. In keeping with the Court’s process, you’ll start with getting a good picture of what’s so right now. What are your assets? What are your debts? What are each of your incomes and expenses? What are your children’s schedules with each of you? This is the kind of background work that’s part of every divorce. It really helps to get as much of the background work done before the mediation but it can be done during the mediation if you prefer.
The first step is to work on the google spreadsheet you of you will receive. It asks for the information that only the two of you have. We will provide all the email and phone support you want to help you complete the spreadsheet and try and get your questions answered so you are prepared for mediation.
The second step is to click on the “Schedule your initial phone conference” link in your spreadsheet. The main purpose of this mandatory call and/or video conference is to prepare you for the rest of the mediation process. On the call, we can help you complete the spreadsheet and get your questions answered. We will also give you the legal information you need to consider prior to any in-person mediation. We’ll also make a note of the things you’ve already reached an agreement on, for example, who is getting which car, etc.
The third step is often a video conference and/or in-person mediation. By going through the first two steps we’ve narrowed down what is left to discuss in mediation such that it is focused and fast. Phone and/or video conference mediation may be particularly helpful if one party now lives out-of-town, etc.
We’ve found this methodology dramatically shortens the time it takes to complete the entire mediation process.
We do not prepare Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs). QDROs may be necessary to transfer certain types of pension benefits. We strongly recommend you have a QDRO expert prepare any QDROs.
We do not file your documents with the Court for you. Usually, once you have reviewed and signed the documents, you will file them with the Court and pay the Court filing fee.
Court Requirements outside of mediation:
The Court requires full disclosure between the parties. You can find out what documents the Court requires you to exchange with one another at this link: Colorado Mandatory Disclosure Requirements
If you have children, you are also required to complete a parenting seminar. The spreadsheet we share with you has a link to the available parenting seminars.
If all this seems overwhelming don’t worry, we are there for you all the way to the point where you enter the Court process when you file your case.
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