Understand the Process
Instead of each spouse hiring a lawyer to battle it out, you work together with a collaborative team from MDM who guide you through the entire process.
Understand the Process
Instead of each spouse hiring a lawyer to battle it out, you work together with a collaborative team from MDM who guide you through the entire process.
Join a Free 30-Minute Mediation Consult
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Your first step is a free 30-minute Zoom consultation. This is a low-pressure conversation to help you understand mediation, your options, and what working with us would feel like. We will answer your questions and talk through whether mediation makes sense for your situation. By the end of the call, you should have more clarity and a better sense of what comes next.
Get Started with Mediation
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If you decide to move forward, getting started is straightforward. We will ask you to complete a short intake, sign the mediation agreement, and provide payment information. Once that is done, we will schedule your first mediation session. From there, you begin working directly with your mediator to move the process forward.
File For Divorce
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If you have not already filed, we will file electronically on your behalf. This allows the court to communicate directly with us, rather than with you.
From a legal standpoint, filing jointly or individually does not change the outcome of your case. However, the choice can matter emotionally and practically. We will explain the difference and help you decide which option makes the most sense for your situation.
Attend Mediation Meetings
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You will meet with your Lead Mediator, a trained mental health professional, to address communication, parenting, and decision-making. The process usually begins with brief individual meetings so each of you can share concerns, priorities, and where you are starting. If one person meets individually, the other is given the same opportunity.
If you have children, the next meeting focuses on co-parenting from two households, including how and when to talk with your children, daily routines, and placement schedules.
Once financial documents are submitted, a full financial meeting is scheduled to review assets, debts, and financial priorities. This is where longer-term goals such as housing, retirement, or business plans are discussed. The number and format of meetings vary based on your situation.
Gather Financial Documents
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We will provide the forms you need to complete, including the Financial Disclosure Statement (FDS). This document requires you to list all assets and debts so there is a complete financial picture. You will disclose everything, even items you believe may not be part of the marital estate. This includes property, vehicles, bank accounts, inheritances, credit cards, and any other assets or liabilities. Full disclosure allows the mediation process to move forward efficiently and avoids issues later.
Reach Agreements
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Most couples reach agreements over two to four mediation meetings. During these meetings, you work through decisions related to parenting, property, debt, and income. The goal is to reach a complete agreement that both people can live with and that will hold up over time. Mediation involves compromise. Final agreements typically fall between what each person initially hoped for.
Manage Emotions and Communication
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Throughout the process, the mediator helps manage communication so meetings stay productive. When conflict or strong emotions arise, we slow the conversation down, identify what is getting in the way, and help keep discussions focused on decision-making. This allows difficult topics to be addressed without meetings breaking down or stalling. The goal is not perfect communication. It is to create enough structure and support for agreements to be reached.
Finalize the Agreement
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Once decisions are made, the Attorney Mediator prepares your Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA), along with the Parenting Plan developed during mediation. These documents reflect all agreements reached in detail.
Before signing, you may have the agreement reviewed by an independent attorney familiar with mediation. We can provide referrals if needed. After the agreement is signed, the Attorney Mediator files it with the court.
Handle Court Filings
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Throughout the process, your Attorney Mediator will assist with communication with the court. Scheduled status conferences can usually be canceled once the court knows you are working with us.
Attend the Final Hearing
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Once the MSA is filed, the court will assign a date for your final hearing. The day before the hearing, your Attorney Mediator will call to prepare you and review what to expect.
You will need to appear in person, and your mediator will not attend the hearing with you. However, final hearings are very consistent. You will know ahead of time exactly what questions will be asked, and you do not need to bring any documentation with you.
Although the hearing is typically brief and procedural, it is often an emotional experience. Come prepared with tissues, and plan to have supportive family or friends available to you afterward.
Let’s Talk!
MADISON DIVORCE MEDIATION
We offer a free 30-minute consultation to all new clients to gauge whether we’re the right fit for you. We’ll get to know specifics of your family’s situation and why you’re interested in divorce mediation as a solution. We answer all your questions and help you decide if mediation is right for you.