West Michigan Divorce Mediation
Posted by catherine jacobs on Thu, Apr 29, 2010 @ 02:38 PM
Traditionally in divorce cases, both parties hire an attorney. A case is filed with the court. Hearing dates are set and, if there are children, friend of the court evaluations are scheduled. In between the hearings, there may be depositions, interrogatories, subpoenaing of employment information and other forms of discovery done by each sides' attorney. This process often can add up to quite a bit of money in attorney fees.
Divorce doesn't have to be this way. The courts in West Michigan recognize and encourage Divorce Mediation. In mediation, the parties come together, usually without attorneys, and work with a neutral person to work though the pending issues. Mediation can generally be completed in a few sessions, and in many cases in only one session.
Mediation can resolve custody and parenting time issues, division of real and personal property and the division of debts.
Mediation is cost effective and has been shown to leave the parties in a more friendly relationship at the end of the case. Often times when the parties work with the mediator, it helps to set them up for working through post-divorce issues with greater ease than had they gone through a tradition divorce proceeding.
Jayne Dykema and Lori Zellers are both certified divorce mediators. Contact them today to learn more about mediation options. Even if you have already filed for divorce, you and your spouse can choose to take you case through mediation.
