Preparing for a Mediated Divorce in Illinois

 Posted on April 06, 2021 in Mediation

If you are going through a divorce, you may fear a long and bitter courtroom battle. Fortunately, this is not necessary for all divorce cases, and some couples find that choosing mediation is a much better option. During the mediation process, each spouse will meet with a mediator that is a neutral third party. The role of the mediator is strictly to foster compromise and communication to help the couple reach an agreement on their own without the need for a divorce trial.

Mediation holds many benefits, including the fact that it can be less costly and take less time than a divorce trial. Spouses may also be more likely to comply with the agreement because they had a hand in creating it. Still, if you are considering mediation, it is important to know how to properly prepare so you get the most out of it.

Identify Your Goals

All divorce cases require some give and take by both parties. When entering into mediation, it is important to remember that you likely will not secure every favorable term you are hoping for. Once you understand this, you can then identify what is most important to you, and what terms you are willing to compromise on. Understanding your goals, as well as those of your spouse, can help during settlement talks and can result in your divorce being finalized sooner.

Remain Cooperative

Mediation is an effective solution, but it only works when the parties involved are willing to work with each other. It is important to identify the mutual interests you have with your spouse and to remain willing to resolve disputes that arise in a way that both of you agree to. If you insist on remaining adversarial, or you refuse to negotiate on any terms of the divorce, mediation likely will not work for you.

Organize Documents and Records

Even when going through mediation for your divorce, you will still have to work through certain issues, which will require different records and documentation. For example, to prepare for the division of marital property, you should gather records of all of your assets and debts. If you have children, you can prepare for the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time by drafting a proposed parenting plan in writing so that you have a good starting point for mediation discussions.

Contact a Wheaton, IL Divorce Lawyer

At Andrew Cores Family Law Group, we can provide qualified legal advice to help you prepare for mediation, and our attorneys are also trained to provide mediation services if you choose to pursue that approach to your divorce. Contact our DuPage County divorce attorneys today at 630-871-1002 to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about the benefits mediation can bring to your divorce case.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=6000000&SeqEnd=8300000