When you first begin to think about divorce mediation, it’s easy to assume that it’ll never work for you. However, even if you’re in the middle of a nasty breakup with your spouse, you may find that mediation is the best way to have your voice heard.
There are many factors that determine how long divorce mediation takes, such as:
- The willingness of both individuals to negotiate and compromise
- The complexity of your assets and debts
- If you have any children together
The first step in any divorce mediation is a meeting with the mediator. During this time, both individuals discuss the matters that need to be resolved. This is your chance to get everything out in the open, so don’t hesitate to speak your mind.
From here, you’ll schedule your next meeting. This is when you get down to business, moving through one detail at a time with the mediator keeping negotiations on track.
While not common, you may be able to work through everything in one session. But, it’s more likely that it’ll take several sessions to resolve every issue.
With each session typically lasting anywhere from two to four hours, you should prepare yourself accordingly.
Once you reach an agreement on all issues, the mediator can file the necessary paperwork with the court. As long as everything checks out, you are not required to appear in court.
Generally speaking, your sessions will be spread out over the course of a couple of months. Knowing what to expect upfront will help you mentally prepare for the process, while also putting you in a position to protect your legal rights.