With the decision of going to Orange County mediation instead of litigation taken, you deserve all the praise for choosing a method of divorce that will keep you family and your kids most importantly away from the bitterness of court divorces.
So before the first day of the Orange County divorce mediation process, here is an 8 step plan for you to follow to prepare for your first mediation session.
Step#1: Arrive with complete financial documents
There are two primary things of dispute in any Orange county divorce. The kids and the assets, while the kids are out in the open and confirmed, mediation session will want a complete disclosure of assets from you and your spouse before the process begins. Here is a list all the financial information you need to have with you when you go for mediation.
- Banks accounts
- Vehicles
- Real Estate
- Businesses
- All retirement funds and other bank accounts
Step#2: Keep a lid on your emotions
Orange County divorce mediation is a process run on reasonableness. While heated emotions and outbursts may be understandable for someone going through a divorce, it is certainly not helpful in any which way in mediation.
Step#3: Negotiate, don’t argue
The past is the reason you are going into Orange County divorce mediation, but you need to understand that what has happened cannot be changed. It is best that you forget the past, and negotiate on what is best for your future instead of bickering about yesteryear.
Step#4: You can talk to the mediator alone
This is an important thing to keep in mind as you go for Orange County divorce mediation. Any concerns that you have can and will be addressed by the mediator. All you need to do if you think you have an issue is to ask for a separate meeting with the mediator to express your concerns.
Step#5: Don’t take a litigation-happy attorney to mediation
Mediation is all about compromising and working with the other spouse to get the best for both the parties involved and the kids. If you take a litigation happy with you to mediation they will make sure your discussions and settlements are sabotaged.
Step#6: Keep a budget in mind
Irrespective of whether you are the dependent financial spouse or the independent financial spouse, both have to budget before they go into mediation. Finding out how much you want or how much you can pay will help you negotiate better.
Step#7: Know your rights
There is no point in going to mediation if you have no idea of the rights and obligations you enjoy. Before you go into an Orange county divorce mediation look to read articles, etc. that highlight the rights and obligations you have.
Step#8: Choose the best mediation service for you
A mediation service and mediators are important to your dispute resolution. Do your homework and go with the mediator you feel will be the best for you.
Gerald A. Maggio is a trained Orange County divorce mediator who has amicably resolved cases many cases out of court, as well as an experienced divorce and family law attorney. Mr. Maggio founded California Divorce Mediators in 2012 with the belief that although “not every marriage can be saved, every family can” and a mission to save families from the financial and emotional distress associated with traditional divorce litigation. California Divorce Mediators is located in Irvine, California, and serves the Orange County area and other counties in California offering divorce mediation, child custody mediation and mediation of other family law matters.
