Are you starting the process of divorce mediation?
You don’t want to find yourself in the position of saying, at the end of the mediation process, that you’ve changed your mind because you didn’t understand what was in that agreement. Working with a mediation review attorney at the beginning of the mediation process can ensure you are prepared and ready to make decisions in the mediation process.
Mediation is a great way to resolve family matters, but your mediator is a neutral third party who is not there to give you advice. Having your own attorney to review the agreement can smooth the process, particularly if there are business interests, significant assets or unsettled issues about parenting and child custody or alimony.
While the financial statement is a tedious document that no one wants to prepare, it can help you understand what you will need to meet your financial obligations once divorced. The financial statement is a snapshot of what your expenses are now, when you are filing the agreement. It will be updated if your finances change at the time of the court hearing. The financial statement, when complete, will show what assets you will keep and what debt you may owe.
At Divorce and Family Mediation Services you can work with me, Carolan Hardy, a family law attorney and mediator, to review your separation agreement. I can:
- Create your financial statement
- Review your spouse’s financial statement
- Answer questions about how a child’s education might be paid
- Answer questions about how much child support or alimony you might pay or receive and how long these payments would last.
After you have completed the mediation process, an attorney will create a legally binding document called a separation or divorce agreement. It is important that an attorney review the draft agreement with you so that you understand your rights and obligations.
Be sure you understand what you may be giving up before you file the document with the court. Asking the court to modify a document after the fact may be costly, or worse, may not be possible. Not everything in a divorce agreement can be changed. Let me review it with you before you sign.
Changing Mediators
If you are currently in mediation but are not making progress or you are just unhappy with your mediator? You can change mediators. I can be brought in as a replacement divorce mediator.
Contact divorce attorney and mediator Carolan Hardy or call 617-750-9709 to schedule a free initial consultation at the Quincy or Hingham law office.