Of all the options for alternative dispute resolution during a divorce, mediation is arguably the most popular and the most effective. It gives the spouses the opportunity to take control over what matters the most to them and keeps the entire process private.
Provided that the spouses reach an agreement and sign a contract after they finish mediation, the process can lead to a quick and cost-effective uncontested divorce filing. Before you sit down at the table to mediate with your spouse, there are few things you need to know.
You need to have a good idea of your household assets and debts
Understanding what property you have, the assets you share with your spouse and the debts you must repay will give you an idea of what you need to handle in your divorce.
If you don’t address certain assets or debts, you might lose out on assistance repaying obligations or your share of an asset value. Before you try to split up your property, you have to know what you have in order to ask for a fair outcome.
You need to understand the court approach to property division and custody
Generally, the issues that a couple will have after their marriage will deal with custody of their children or marital property. Understanding the legal approach to these issues by the Texas Courts will give you a good starting point for negotiations.
Texas uses community property rules, which will generally mean that the income you earn while married and the debt that you acquire will be the property of both spouses. In custody proceedings, the focus is always on what is best for the kids.
Know your own priorities and what your ex wants the most
You can’t negotiate if you don’t have a specific goal. Whether you want to keep the house or have a specific agreement for the way you split holiday custody, knowing your priorities and focusing on them when you negotiate will make the process easier. If you also understand what is most important to your ex, like keeping their business, you can use that as leverage during negotiations.
With proper preparation and good legal support, divorce mediation can make the end of your marriage easier for everyone in the family.