Mediation Services
MADISON DIVORCE MEDIATION
Comprehensive & Compassionate Support
Whatever brings you to mediation, we provide services to ensure that your issues are resolved in an efficient, constructive, and civil manner. We guide you from defining the issues of your situation, through to resolution. We file your paperwork with the courts when necessary, and guarantee that you are fully informed and prepared every step of the way. In all arenas of family law, Madison Divorce Mediation’s comprehensive services ensure that the resolutions you find will reflect your values and priorities and keep relationships and dignity intact.
Divorce/Legal
Separation
No one plans to get a divorce. How ever you have come to this juncture, we know it is through a lot of pain and fear. Let us reassure you. We have seen many couples come in suffering, and somehow, through the process itself, leave feeling clearer, more confident, and ready for the next steps. If legal separation would be an appropriate alternative for you, we’ll discuss that option.
Property
Division
From the dishes and furniture to the house, retirement accounts, and debts, you will have to decide how to divide everything the marriage owns and owes. We guide you to consider all the relevant factors, and show you a full range of possible ways to accomplish your mutual and separate goals. The variations are endless, but one thing is certain: your agreement will be designed around your family’s goals and priorities.
Child Support
We help you devise a placement plan designed around your children’s needs, and your priorities. If the kids spend more time with one parent than the other, the difference will usually be reflected in the finances. If there is a significant difference in incomes, there will likely be child support. This is one place where there is base line guidance from the state-developed formula. That is our starting place, but the final agreement depends on your goals.
Spousal Support
Spousal Support is also known as Maintenance or, in the olden days, Alimony. Whether or not you will share income post divorce will depend, among other things, on how long you were married and your respective abilities to earn income. Whether there will be support, how much and how long are all discussed in detail so you can make informed decisions. We will offer you a variety of scenarios within the range of reasonable that address your interests.
Domestic Partnerships
Couples who are not married but who share children and/or property, often need guidance and assistance un-coupling. We can help you with this! From how to divide your assets to child support, to how to co-parent effectively from your separate lives, we will help you develop a comprehensive agreement that addresses all your concerns. By filing this agreement with the court, it becomes legally binding.
Post Settlement Mediation
Even after the divorce is finalized, some couples find themselves at odds, and needing help with conflict resolution. Sometimes this is about the kids — what school they should attend, or how to manage their extra curriculars. Sometimes there is still a financial connection you need help with. Whatever the issue, our skilled mediators can lead you into a productive process to find an agreement that works for both of you.
Pre & Postnuptial
Agreements
When you’re planning your wedding, it can be jarring to remember that you are entering into a legally binding agreement with long lasting consequences. When couples with widely divergent levels of wealth marry, it can feel horribly unromantic to discuss how you would want to handle that in the event of divorce. Let us help you! We can raise all the issues diplomatically, in a way that strengthens your commitment and love and facilitates open communication. Sometimes that conversation emerges after the marriage. This can be hurtful and challenging. Again, we have practice making hard conversations tolerable.
Let’s Talk.
In a free 30-minute consultation - offered to all new clients - we’ll learn about your family’s situation and why you’re interested in mediation. Let us answer all your questions and help you discern if mediation is right for you.