Preparing For The Child Custody Mediation Process

1. P Pr re ep pa ar ri ing T Th he e C Ch hi il ld d C Cu us st tody M Me ed di ia at ti ion P Pr ro oc ces ng F Fo or r ody on ess s

2. Introduction When it comes to deciding child custody between both parents, the process can be easy or difficult. Some parents are able to come to an immediate agreement to benefit the interests of their child or children. Others may need another party to intervene and help both parties come to a suitable custody solution for their child or children. The child custody mediation process essentially involves both parents and a third party, who helps both parents come to a working agreement to effectively parent their child or children in separate households. Before either parent searches for a solution to resolve to decide who gets what custody, it is important to know how to prepare for the child custody mediation process.

3. C Co on nt te en nt t Preparing for child custody mediation Preparing for child custody mediation Anticipating Divorce In Long-Term Marriages By The Years Anticipating a divorce in a long term marriage  20 years  25 to 30 years  40+ years Tips For Avoiding Mistakes When Searching For A Divorce Lawyer Avoiding mistakes when looking for a divorce lawyer      

4. Preparing for child custody mediation A child custody mediator does not make immediate decisions. Instead, this third party helps both parents come to a child custody agreement that can later be approved in the courts. It is best to use a child custody mediation professional if both parties are unable to come to an immediate agreement in regards to the custody of their children or child. In most states, the child custody mediation process is considered voluntary and is not required. Other states, however, do require some kind of child custody mediation before the judge will approve any court orders related to child custody. The mediation process is straightforward, usually starting with either party meeting with the mediator and discussing the custody-related issues at hand. The mediator and both parties then discuss and review the issues at hand, come to a solution, and eventually draft and sign an agreement to be reviewed by the courts. Most parents are able to work out an agreement with a mediator in a short amount of time, though some cases require more time to work through issues with a child custody mediation expert.

5. Preparing for child custody mediation In most cases, both parents should prepare for child custody mediation by talking to their attorneys before meeting with the mediator. This helps either party understand their rights to custody of their child/children and their responsibilities involving those rights. It is also recommended for both parties to maintain documentation regarding the childcare of their child/children, including daily schedules for the child/children, medical records, and other documents noting special circumstances for child visitation terms.

6. Each parent is also encouraged to create a document laying out the terms for child visitation. Having a document like this helps each parent determine their desires for the terms of child custody of the child/children in question. Having those documents prepared also allows the mediator to work with either party to come to an agreement regarding those terms. For example, either parent could establish terms for dropping off the child/children at the other parents' home, detailing locations and the type of transportation they plan to use in the document. Being prepared to work with the other parent is essential to conclude the child custody mediation process in a relatively civil way.

7. Anticipating Divorce In Long-Term Marriages By The Years Divorce in long term marriages does not just happen overnight. A divorce in long term marriages generally happens after both parties agree to end the marriage over a number of significant factors. In this case, the marriage ends after a number of years, usually as long as 20 years. Sometimes, a divorce in long term marriages occurs after as long as 50 years. Regardless of the length of the marriage, a divorce following a long term marriage arrangement has many challenges that are unique when compared to a divorce of a shorter term marriage. Depending on when the divorce occurs, these unique challenges can vary in scope.

8. Anticipating a divorce in a long term marriage Also known as a grey divorce, divorce in long term marriages generally occur after about 20 years of marriage or more. In the past, these types of divorces were considered relatively uncommon. However, the end of long term marriages between two parties is becoming more common. The nature of long term marriages makes for unique divorce scenarios since aspects like assets between both parties need to be taken into consideration before concluding the divorce process. Even the length of the marriage plays a role in how the divorce will play out.

9. 20 years After 20 years, a divorce in a long term marriage could conclude in a relatively clean break. If there is contention between both parties, it could end in a rather tricky way. One of the main factors that impact a divorce after two decades of marriage is child custody, since any child or children may still be underage at the time of divorce. The allowance of alimony for the parent with caretaking duties for children or a child is another issue that usually needs to be settled in a divorce for a two-decade-old marriage.

10. 25 to 30 years After 25 to 30 years of marriage, the divorce process gets a little less tricky. However, the bigger issue at this stage of marriage and divorce is the dividing of assets, such as the marital home. In most cases, the party with larger stakes in the home (such as equity or even maintaining living space for the children as the sole parent) may get the marital home unless the other party buys them out. The dividing of assets between the divorcing parties is considered rather tricky at this stage and is usually determined on a case by case basis within the courts.

11. 40+ years After about 40 to 50 years, the biggest factor that impacts the divorce process in a long term marriage is the dividing of retirement assets. Since the retirement accounts between both parties are likely joint accounts, these accounts will have to get divided up during the divorce process. Alimony for either spouse is also a factor to consider, especially if one party is still in the workforce. Both parties will have to come to an agreement on terms that will benefit each other long after the divorce process ends at this stage of their lives.

12. Tips For Avoiding Mistakes When Searching For A Divorce Lawyer Finding an appropriate divorce lawyer high seems like a simple process, however, it does get tricky if not prepared. Prospective clients of a great divorce lawyer often have to navigate through a continuous stream of information about divorce. They also have to use what they might already know and desire about their impending divorce to interview potential lawyers. The beginning, middle, and conclusion of the divorce process are rife with high emotions, all of which can significantly impact the perception of not just the prospective client, but also might set the stage for the case in question. To avoid making mistakes when finding the right divorce lawyer, prospective clients should learn exactly what those mistakes look like.

13. Avoiding mistakes when looking for a divorce lawyer The typically hostile nature of divorce leads to high emotions that can completely color the entire mood of the legal process. These emotions not only affect the client, but also the legal professional that the client may choose to represent them. High emotions from either party can lead to mistakes being made. The prospective client can completely avoid making such mistakes if they are aware of them before they happen. The most common mistake made during the divorce process is writing or saying emotionally charged words towards the other party. Many professional legal advisors highly suggest assuming anything said, written, or recorded will be utilized against them in court as a part of the defense of the other party. This is especially important in states where one party can be awarded assets like property if the other party is found to be completely at fault for the reasons behind the divorce. The decisions regarding child custody is another contentious part of the divorce process where both parties should avoid saying anything that could be used against them.

14. Another potential mistake is avoiding any type of negotiation or mediation with the other party. Negotiation with or without a mediator has the potential to improve the prospective divorce settlement between the parties in question. For example, divorcing parents may settle their disagreements and come to an agreement over child custody if they discuss those terms before heading to court. It is also recommended to keep a record of these meetings, such as a recording or written agreement, to have proof that the meetings occurred on both sides. Both parties should also regard the advice of their separate legal representatives when discussing the terms of a prospective settlement between both parties.

15. Completely disregarding any legal representation in a divorce is considered the biggest mistake any party could make. A divorce lawyer helps their clients successfully negotiate terms while defending them during the entirety of the divorce process. Self- representation in a divorce is considered highly problematic for the sole reason that many people who undergo divorces lack the understanding and experience to successfully manage the details and defend themselves at the same time. Hiring a qualified divorce lawyer is the best investment that any divorcing party could make for themselves. See more at https://www.eidelmanassoc.com/Mediation- Services/child-custody-mediation