A Step-By-Step Guide To Divorce Mediation In Michigan

Most people are not familiar with family law mediation and believe they must each hire attorneys and battle it out in a traditional divorce process. But there is a much better way.

My name is Lisa Taylor. I have been an attorney in Michigan for over 35 years and a full time family law mediator for over 17 years. I mediate divorce and other family law cases in Bingham Farms and across Michigan. At my law firm, Taylor-Made Solutions, PLLC, you will find the compassionate, comprehensive support that you need as you make your way through the mediation process.

How Does Family Law Mediation, Including Divorce Mediation, Work?

In their role, the mediator:

• Acts as a neutral party, guiding the discussions and helping you stay focused and rational, to identify options and find solutions “Taylor-Made” for your situation.
• Gives legal information and oversees the exchange of information regarding your property.
• Requires full disclosure of all information, so you negotiate with one another in confidence, knowing you are working with the same base of knowledge.
• Sits down with you both to help resolve every issue in your family legal matter while minimizing conflict, including child custody, child support, parenting time, property division, debt division, spousal support (alimony) and tax issues.

In mediation sessions:

1. You thoroughly discuss the issues and the reasons for each decision. Each of you has the opportunity to speak your mind; no decision is made until it is acceptable to you both.
2. As you reach agreements, the mediator drafts a document detailing the agreements, which you both review with the mediator.
3. Neither of you signs the agreement until each of you has had ample opportunity for repeated reviews on your own and if you choose, with a third party, such as a lawyer or a financial adviser or both.

The Court Process:

1. Because you have a signed mediated agreement when you file for divorce, you can file a joint petition rather than as plaintiff versus defendant.
2. The divorce court proceeding is now greatly simplified. Since you will have resolved all conflict, the court proceeding becomes a matter of paperwork instead of an adversarial process.
3. The mediator will ensure you have what you need to understand the court process and the required court documents.
4. The judge enters a Judgment of Divorce that incorporates the mediated agreement to finalize the divorce.
5. The mediator is available to help you with post-divorce disagreements regarding parenting time, co-parenting or implementing the property division.

As you can see, mediation greatly simplifies the divorce court proceedings so that it is a much easier process than in litigation.

Meet With A Bingham Farms Mediation Attorney Today

You are not alone when you work with me at Taylor-Made Solutions, PLLC. I will explain the steps in mediation, help you understand all issues and facilitate your discussions, so you make smart decisions throughout your divorce.

There is no retainer, and the initial calls to explain the process and answer your questions about the process are free. I also conduct an in-depth screening with each of you to determine if mediation is appropriate for your divorce case. To schedule your free initial consultation, please call 248-579-9766 or send me an email.