The Divorce Mediation Process in Mesa Arizona
Mediation is an opportunity for you and your spouse to create a divorce outcome that is guided by but not bound by Arizona law. Mediation allows you and your spouse to decide what is best for you and your family by designing an agreement that is tailored to your lives and unique situation.
The role of a divorce mediator is to serve as a neutral party in helping you and your spouse reach an agreement on the details of your marital settlement agreement. They may offer one of three main types of mediation: facilitative, evaluative, or transformative mediation.
In facilitative mediation, the mediator will (quite literally) facilitate the conversation and help keep you and your spouse focused and moving forward in your negotiations. Evaluative mediators help couples think through and understand the future implications of their divorce settlement negotiations – which can be helpful for couples with children, multiple properties, or businesses. A transformational mediator can be a terrific fit for couples who wish to focus more on their respective next chapters post-divorce, and on avoiding future negative actions or reactions that may have become habitual over the years.
Our resource, Which Type of Mediation Will Work Best for You? The Three Types – Explained, can help you determine which style is right for your individual situation.
Is divorce mediation right for me?
Many couples like you in Mesa Arizona choose mediation because it cuts down on attorney fees and costs. You can work through a divorce at your own pace, keep the intimate details of your life a lot more private, and work toward an agreement that meets both of your needs instead of relying on the Arizona court system to decide for you. If you have children together, mediation may give you more flexibility in designing a divorce outcome that more easily lets you transition co-parenting and other arrangements on your own, outside of the court system, as time goes on.
Divorce mediation can be an excellent idea if you and your spouse share a commitment to divorcing amicably, or if you are willing to work together to dissolve your marriage in a fair and cooperative way, but have too many issues to resolve them on your own.
Keep in mind: disagreements will likely happen. Tempers will likely flare. You won’t get everything you want (and neither will your ex). If you start mediation understanding that this may happen, but that the mediator’s role is to help you and your spouse move past disagreement and come to a marital settlement agreement you can both live with, you will likely be satisfied not just with the outcome of your divorce mediation – but also with the cost of your divorce mediation, as opposed to a traditional lawyer-on-retainer divorce through the Arizona court system.
How much does divorce mediation cost in Arizona?
Divorce costs can vary throughout Arizona, but the average cost of mediation in an area like Mesa Arizona ranges between $2,500 to $7,500
How do I find divorce mediators near me in Mesa Arizona?
The Harding Firm offers customized divorce mediation packages for people in Mesa Arizona. Meetings can be held in person, by phone or via video chat. Both you and your spouse can participate in divorce mediation in the same room or on the same call, or our mediators can speak with you individually if you wish to minimize contact with your spouse.
Alternatively, you can also find professional divorce mediators through the local bar association in or near Mesa Arizona, or by contacting your local court to ask whether they have a mediation panel.
Here’s your Arizona divorce mediation checklist:
If you’re still wondering whether mediation is right for your divorce, here’s a recap of what to consider:
- You and your spouse are committed to dissolving your marriage in a fair and cooperative way.
- You want a divorce outcome that is more flexible and tailored to your needs.
- You are willing to negotiate directly with your spouse, with the support of a neutral facilitator.
- You want a cost-effective divorce.
- You understand that conflict may (and probably will) arise – but that’s okay with you because you’d rather control your own divorce outcome than let the Arizona court system decide for you.
If you can answer “yes” to more than two of these considerations, mediation could be the perfect alternative to a traditional divorce for you and your spouse.
But, before you begin divorce the mediation process, prepare yourself to follow these 6 Steps to Take Before You Begin Divorce Mediation. Just because you won’t be going to court doesn’t mean you don’t have to prepare. Do your homework, get organized and be ready to show up knowing what you want – and what you don’t – and you’ll be more likely to get the outcome you want from your divorce.
Thinking about divorce mediation?
Book time now with an experienced expert from our partner firm, The Harding Firm. You can speak with a seasoned Arizona lawyer at the Harding Firm by scheduling a free consultation today. Call now at (480) 442-4142. If you are reading this after hours please feel free to leave a message on our voicemail or send us a message through our contact us page here: Contact Us
