There are few things more stressful than entering the litigation process. For this very reason, many couples choose mediation instead. Please read on to learn more about divorce mediation and how to make the best of your mediation sessions with our experienced Bergen County divorce mediators.
How Do I Prepare For Divorce Mediation?
You may prepare for mediation by collecting important documents, getting valuables appraised, and doing a written inventory of your assets. Try to be as inclusive as possible when making your list of assets, and ensure you include owned property, valuable possessions, businesses, checking account information, and retirement account information. In addition to assets, all documentation that covers either prenuptial or post-nuptial agreements and child care such as medical documentation, school tuition, and any other relevant paperwork.
If you have complex disputes over the division of assets or child custody, for example, our attorneys may contact one of our expert witnesses to strengthen your case. This can be done for many reasons, ranging from an industry expert accurately valuing an owned business to a child psychologist giving testimony on the suitability of both parents. Expert witnesses often play a vital role in mediation. Our experienced divorce mediators will want to review your case individually to see if this action would be beneficial.
Make a Plan and Stick To It
Having a well-formulated plan is vital in successful divorce mediation. To start, our attorneys will need to understand what you absolutely must have, what you would like to have, and what is not as important to you. For example, if your primary concerns are maintaining child custody and keeping your family home, your attorney can work to strengthen that aspect of your case and give you realistic expectations.
Your plan may also include keeping this information close to the vest. Again, mediations are cooperative, but they are still a form of negotiation. With every unnecessarily-shared piece of information, you may lose bargaining power. Once all parties are in a room face to face, emotions can sometimes derail all logical discussions beforehand. Our divorce attorneys understand the stresses of all conflict resolution processes and will work with you to stay on track.
Maintain Your Composure and a Positive Attitude
This advice begins far before any mediation proceedings take place. Both you and your spouse are likely going through one of the most difficult times of your lives. However, letting emotion get the better of you and acting out of anger, fear, or otherwise serves no purpose but to put you in a compromising position, particularly when the future of your children is at stake.
Our experienced family mediation lawyers understand your frustrations, but we also urge our clients to try and see the big picture. If you and your spouse have agreed to mediation, that is a great first step towards finding a mutually beneficial outcome for your divorce proceedings. The process is not always easy and rarely simple, but the results are often worth the effort.
Keeping a positive and open mind is favorable not only in the mediation process but also for your well being. Mediation, collaborative divorce, and arbitration are tools that are best used by individuals who are willing to work together towards an amicable resolution.
Contact our experienced Bergen County firm
At Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark, our attorneys have extensive experience helping clients to understand and protect their legal rights before, during, and after the divorce process in towns across New Jersey and Bergen County, including Hackensack, Ridgewood, Paramus, Teaneck, and Fort Lee. To speak with our team of divorce lawyers today in a free and confidential consultation regarding your concerns about your divorce, please contact us online, or through our Hackensack, NJ office at (201) 397-1750.
