DIVORCE MEDIATION
Contemplating divorce can be overwhelming with understanding available alternatives to litigation and Illinois law. However, easy steps can be taken to minimize your out-of-pocket cost and maximize your time to move forward swiftly in your life.
I help resolve disagreements about divorce, separation, parenting schedules, child support, alimony, property division, and other family matters.
In a confidential setting, I help each party to communicate what is important to him or her and to hear what is important to the other party. Together we:
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identify the issues that need to be resolved.
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prioritize the issues and focus on one at a time.
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discuss possible solutions.
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come to agreement about parenting plans and/or financial or other issues
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have a draft prepared of the emerging agreement.
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review, revise, and prepare the agreement for signing.
Advantages of Mediation:
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You will make the decisions. You know your children and family best. You don't have to leave it to a judge in a courtroom to tell you how your family will work or how you will be raising your children.
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Mediation is much less expensive than fighting in court.
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Mediation is much less distressing than fighting in court.
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Mediation is much faster than working your way through the many complex steps of litigation.
PROCESS
1. Free 30 Minute Consultation
A very important first step. We will discuss information about your marriage, your family, and what the issues are to discover if KP Divorce Mediation is the "right fit" for your divorce process.
2. Questionnaire and Financial Affidavit
Once you have decided to move forward with our services, one party will complete a confidential questionnaire and both parties will complete separate financial affidavits. Why? The court paperwork is extensive. The questionnaire and financial affidavit provides vital information needed to complete court paperwork and to develop your divorce roadmap. For questionnaire, click here. For financial affidavit, click here.
3. Initial Mediation Meeting
During the first Mediation Session, we will work together to lay the foundation for the rest of the mediation. We will be reviewing and executing the Agreement to Mediate as well as how the mediation will be conducted. We will discuss the Parties' goals for the process, themselves and their family as well as individual concerns and needs. We will access where you and your spouse agree and where you need some work to get to agreement. In addition, we will schedule meeting times moving forward and preliminary agenda.
4. Mediation
As we address different issues, we will continue to gather data, identify problems and interests, generate options, prioritize and negotiate. During financial meetings, we identify assets and liabilities, marital and non-marital property. We review and discuss division of property, retirement accounts, pension plans, and spousal support. If there are children, we will include discussion regarding the Parenting Plan and child support.
5. Documenting the Agreement
When settlement is reached, a Memorandum of Understanding will be prepared, circulated for review, and amended as necessary. This document is used to draft the final divorce papers (Marital Settlement Agreement) and is incorporated in the documents filed with the courts.