McConnell Family Law Group

Understanding Divorce Mediation in Connecticut

Divorce is often an emotional and stressful time for couples. It can be even more difficult if the couple has children. Aside from the emotional strain, divorce can be a financial drain, especially with all of the court fees and attorney’s rates. However, a more cost-effective way to dissolve a marriage is through divorce mediation in CT. By taking the proper steps to prepare for your mediation session, you can help keep costs down. By answering what is divorce mediation and understanding the cost associated, you can make a wise decision about whether this is the best option for your situation.

When considering divorce, many people do not realize that there is more than one way to resolve marital issues such as property division and custody of children. What is divorce mediation? For instance, some spouses choose to go through the traditional legal process where they each hire a lawyer to represent them in litigation before a judge. While this is an option, it can be costly and highly contentious.

Other couples choose to use a more cooperative approach called divorce mediation, in which the parties meet with a neutral third party, known as a mediator. What is divorce mediation? The goal of the mediator is to help the parties reach an agreement in which they can both be satisfied. The mediator will often be a divorce lawyer who is well-versed in the laws of Connecticut and can provide guidance to both parties. The mediator can also help facilitate discussions and promote voluntary decision-making. The parties can also work with their own consulting attorney during the mediation sessions.

The cost of divorce mediation is significantly less than going to trial and having a judge decide these issues for you. What is divorce mediation? Mediation can save you a great deal of money, particularly when it comes to child custody, property division, and alimony.

A common myth is that the cost of divorce mediation is the same as a regular contested divorce in Connecticut. However, this is not necessarily true. Most reputable mediation attorneys have different fee structures that they use to determine their charges. For example, some charge a flat rate per mediation session while others may have a monthly retainer for their services. What is divorce mediation? In addition to the mediation sessions, there are other costs that need to be considered such as filing fees and any other costs for the services of consultants such as an appraiser or parenting coordinators.

By following these tips, you can help to lower the costs of divorce mediation and potentially save your marriage. What is divorce mediation? If you are ready to learn more about this alternative to divorce litigation, contact our office today to schedule a consultation with a compassionate Connecticut divorce mediation lawyer. We are always here to answer any questions that you may have. You can reach us by phone or online. We look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Situations Where Divorce Mediation May Not Be Suitable in Connecticut

There are several pathways to divorce, including litigation, mediation, and collaborative practice. It’s important that couples understand the different options so that they can choose the method that best fits their circumstances. While it is true that divorce mediation can be less costly than a contested divorce, the process may not always be appropriate for everyone. One of the biggest reasons that some people are wary of divorce mediation is that they may believe it leaves too much control in the hands of their attorneys or the judge. This is a common misconception. In reality, if spouses bypass mediation and go straight to court, they will still need assistance from professionals such as appraisers for property division, psychologists or social workers to help work through child custody and visitation matters, and financial professionals to assist in financial settlements. What is divorce mediation? In addition, if a spouse goes to trial, they will need their own attorney.

If a spouse is concerned about the potential for power imbalance in a divorce mediation, they should speak with a family law attorney to discuss their concerns. What is divorce mediation? In addition, a lawyer can review the initial legal papers (summons and complaint) filed in a divorce action to determine if there are any grounds for concern.

Even if it’s not a good fit for divorce mediation, a skilled attorney can provide a complete overview of all of the family law options available to clients. What is divorce mediation? Often, individuals who are considering divorce or separation do not fully understand all of their legal options and this can lead to them making unwise choices.

In addition, a lawyer can also provide guidance on when it might be appropriate to seek a modification of a previous family law judgment or agreement. Generally, to get a modification, it’s necessary to prove that there has been a substantial and material change in circumstances since the original terms were negotiated. This could include a change in financial status, job loss, or medical conditions. What is divorce mediation?

If you are seeking a divorce in Connecticut, it is important to understand your legal options and to work with an experienced family law attorney. What is divorce mediation? An attorney can explain all of the divorce and separation methods that are available, such as mediation and collaborative divorce, and provide you with information about each process so that you can make an informed choice about your future. Contact a family law attorney today to set up your free initial consultation with a skilled divorce mediation lawyer.

Legal Assistance for Divorce Mediation Decisions in Connecticut

When spouses decide to divorce, they must work out a number of issues. These include determining alimony, property division, and child custody. The goal is to make decisions that benefit both parties, based on their needs and the best interests of any children involved. Litigated divorce is often the default path for divorcing couples, but a non-adversarial process like mediation can help them reach a fair settlement. What is divorce mediation? Understanding this option can greatly benefit couples looking for a less contentious way to separate.

Experienced divorce mediators in Connecticut guide couples through mediation to ensure that they receive the legal information needed to work out a property division and/or custody agreement that can be approved by a Court. What is divorce mediation? This method allows the couple to save time and money compared to the cost of a traditional litigated divorce.

Whether you choose to mediate your case on your own or hire a lawyer, mediation services in Connecticut provide the same level of professionalism and support. The team of attorneys assists you through all aspects of your case, from setting up the initial mediation session to preparing a final settlement agreement that will be filed with the Court.

The benefits of a mediated divorce include less stress for both parties, shorter proceedings, fewer expenses, and more control over the outcome. What is divorce mediation? Couples who opt for mediation may find that it is easier to reach an amicable solution on a variety of issues, including child custody, visitation, and property division. This can be very difficult to do in a traditional litigated divorce, which is often adversarial in nature.

Experienced attorney-mediators are committed to a fair and equitable resolution for your case. They help you resolve ALL issues related to your divorce, including alimony and property division. What is divorce mediation? Your mediator will also perform alimony/spousal support calculations, conduct child support guideline calculations, and provide you with all the legal information you need to make well-informed decisions. In addition, your seasoned divorce attorney will be available to answer any questions you have regarding your rights and obligations under Connecticut law.

Your divorce mediator will draft your negotiated property division and/or child custody/visitation agreement into what is known as a divorce decree. In most cases, this will be accepted by the Court and incorporated into your final judgment. A judge will only suggest changes to your settlement if they would be extremely unfair or detrimental to either party.

During the process of your divorce mediation, you will be encouraged to jointly retain outside consultants (such as child specialists or financial specialists) to help you reach your settlement. What is divorce mediation? This process encourages couples to obtain review counsel, which involves hiring separate outside attorneys to advise on the agreements you and your spouse reach in mediation. This is in contrast to the litigation process, where both sides have their own lawyers who fight to win, often causing financial damage for everyone. 

McConnell Family Law Group

McConnell Family Law Group

71 Elm St #201, New Canaan, CT 06840, United States

(203) 344-7007