Mediation is a term that any one going through a contested divorce in Utah will become familiar with. It’s a process you must go through in a effort to settle your case outside of court and short of going to trial.
While you’ll most likely have an attorney with you, there are some important things YOU can do to prepare.
Get educated to the process. It’s easy to feel stressed and uneasy when you have no idea what to expect. Talk with your attorney and get informed. Being stuck in the same room and the fighting and yelling you sometimes see on TV is not realistic.
In actuality, you and your attorney will be safe and protected in a separate room, while the carefully selected, third party mediator negotiates back and forth between parties. Also, make sure you are rested, bring snacks and dress comfortably. It could be a long day and you want to make sure you’re prepared and comfortable.
Come to divorce mediation with a clear outline of what your objectives are for child custody, finances, alimony, splitting marital assets, etc. Prioritize areas you absolutely feel strongly about and others where you feel there may be room for some negotiation.
Discuss your goals with your attorney to make sure they are realistic. It’s critical to know what potential outcomes may be and if your expectations fall within those outcomes. And while your Utah divorce attorney can’t tell you definitively what will or will not happen, they can use their experience and expertise to advise your goals are realistic or not.
To find out more about JR Law Group or if you’re looking for a trusted law firm, visit jrlawgroup.com or call 385-770-7453.
Join JR Law Group each Friday as we feature a new video covering different aspects of Divorce and Family Law. Topics range from initial divorce proceedings, to child support and child custody, marital estate and asset distribution, alimony, adoption and more.
