Albuquerque Divorce Mediation Lawyer

Maintaining Neutrality Throughout the Process

The divorce mediator must remain neutral in order to create a successful divorce process. If this is a process you think you may want to pursue, you and your partner or spouse should meet with the attorney at the initial consultation together. Once a lawyer hears only “one side of the story,” that attorney is no longer truly neutral. Also, all emails and letters by the mediator should be sent to both parties at the same time, so everyone is on the same page and it does not look like one spouse/parent is trying to get the mediator on his or her “side.”

Mediation can take place in one or multiple meetings. The more prepared the couple and mediator are, the more productive the meeting will be.

The parties will need to provide the mediator with the financial documents necessary to understand:

• What property and debts are involved
• The gross income of both parents to calculate child support
• The average monthly income and expenses to evaluate whether the alimony is needed or appropriate in the overall circumstances

Mediation does not work for all couples wanting to divorce. For example, if there is a major imbalance of power in the relationship where one spouse dominates and the other spouse usually gives in, then the “weaker” spouse may cave and give up too much just to end the conflict. Another example is if one spouse knows all the finances and assets and the other spouse now has to “trust” that there will be full disclosure of the financial picture but trust is minimal, then the spouse in the dark may hold on to unreasonable expectations about child support, alimony or property division.

Court Clinic or
 Family Court Services

Mediation through services affiliated with specific courts is different than private mediation. Court-affiliated services usually focus only on child custody and co-parenting issues; they do not address child support, alimony or spousal support or property and debt division. Also, there is often a fee for certain kinds of services offered by Court Clinic in Albuquerque and Family Court Services share those fees. Contact the local service for its informational brochures on services they offer including any associated fees.

How Much Does Divorce Mediation Cost?

Neither private mediation nor settlement facilitation is free. The facilitator gets paid for his or her time as well as the parties’ attorneys. However, it is more affordable to settle your disagreements this way than to go through a trial.

Our Albuquerque mediation lawyers can help. Contact us online or give us a call today to set up a consultation.