Typically, when parties are with me, they understand that they’re negotiating a settlement in their divorce matter. But with our new collaborative agenda these days, a lot of times we don’t like to file for divorce at first. We’d rather just sit down and have meetings and mediation before any paperwork is filed. That may be why some parties are confused about – since no divorce has been filed – whether this is similar to marriage counseling. Marriage counseling is typically with therapists or counselors at people’s churches – not attorneys. These therapists try to help couples that are doing their best to reconcile their marriage or make it better do that.
Whereas divorce mediation, even if the divorce hasn’t been filed, is something where both parties realize that they are headed to a divorce and they want to work out a settlement for all the issues that are contained in that divorce. When the mediation is successful and completed, the mediator can actually file the paperwork and complete the divorce for them.
Laura Schantz, a Beaverton divorce and family lawyer and mediator has helped clients find creative solutions to complex financial matters involving asset division, spousal support, and child support. To learn more about Laura Schantz and her firm, visit www.oregondivorceattorney.com.
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