“John just told me he wants a divorce. I don’t even know where to start. I’ve never been through this before. Someone gave me your name—can you help?” Calls like this come nearly every day. Our first response is that, “Knowledge is power.” How about we schedule an information meeting to answer your questions?”
If you are facing the uncertainty of divorce and don’t know where to turn, information meetings (also called consultations) offer hope. At Resolution Mediation, LLC (and most other practices) the first step in finding your process is to talk with a professional to see how they would handle your case.
It is a good idea to talk with several professionals to find the person and process right for you. An important note—attorneys, once they talk with one spouse, ethically cannot talk with the other even if the first does not hire them. Just be aware of this in case an attorney says they aren’t able to speak with you.
Information meetings offer clarity
While some people come to an information meeting with very specific questions, most don’t even know what to ask. They have never been divorced before and don’t know where to begin. That is the purpose of information meetings—to bring clarity and reduce the anxiety of the unknown.
While each practice has its own purpose and process for consultations, at our information meetings, the mediators first listen to you. You have the opportunity to share your situation, complicating factors, goals, concerns, and desired outcomes. We then explain how mediation would work—tailored to your specific situation.
We walk through the mediation process and how it helps the two of you address concerns and achieve desired outcomes. We also discuss how the more litigation-oriented process works—focused on legal issues and legal solutions—and compare it with our more collaborative process
You gain understanding of what will happen in the divorce and have the chance to ask any questions that come to mind. That clarity often provides insight and reduces anxiety.
Information meetings offer answers
To give you better understanding of the process, we explain how we will: provide clients:
- Specific information on the issues that they will need to consider to complete the divorce,
- Options for resolving those issues, and
- Likely outcomes of each option—the pros and cons of each option
In mediation we will provide basic information on all the different factors that you will need to address to create a complete settlement of issues: finances, property, businesses, housing, and (if there are children) parenting plans and financial support of children.
More importantly, we discuss how we will guide the two of you to come to agreement on your own resolution to the issues. We provide information on the options available under the statutes and guidelines and options available outside those frameworks.
We walk you through how options would work, the benefits of each option, and the potential downsides. The goal is to provide the information you need so you can make informed decisions on the best options for you. You decide what you will do with your money and how you will care for your children—based on knowing how those choices will work going forward.
In information meetings, as people learn more, they think of questions. The information meeting provides the opportunity for you to ask those questions and gain insights in the areas most important to you.
Information meetings offer resources
Divorce often requires a team to ensure you navigate the process well. While certainly legal, divorce also impacts finances, emotions, family dynamics, housing, and even physical health. Many navigate our process solely within mediation—others need help in one or more areas including:
- Therapists—to help clients navigate and process the emotional side of divorce
- Financial planners—to help clients consider the types of assets they may need and create a plan for financial stability post-divorce
- Tax advisors—to inform on differing tax implications of options being considered
- Realtors—to give values on the current house and housing options for moving to two homes
- Financial transparency professionals—when there is concern about whether all money is disclosed, they review financial records to spot any areas of concern
- Divorce coaches—to help make life choices post-divorce
- Parenting coaches—to help parents gain skills for single parenting
- Business evaluators—to navigate the disposition of business assets
- Mortgage brokers—to assist in mortgage assumption, refinance, or new mortgage
- Insurance agents—for health, car, and other insurance gaps created by the divorce
- Attorneys to look at legal implications of proposed options from your perspective.
Because we can educate, but we cannot advise, we want to make sure you have options for seeking any advice needed to make the best decisions. If at any point you desire input on a specific area, we offer options or you choose your own professionals to best serve you and your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Do we have to come together? Couples often come together to information meetings so they can learn together about the process and ensure they are hearing the same information. They also often find the other person thinks of questions that didn’t occur to them, so each benefits from both being present. But, you don’t have to. Others are more comfortable coming separately. We offer that as well.
Is there a cost? No—the meeting is at no charge.
How long is the meeting? Information meetings often last 1 to 1 ½ hours—depending on the questions different people may have.
How do I schedule? Simply call our office (317-793-0825) or visit our website https://resolutionmediationin.com/ and fill out an inquiry.
Those going through divorce often feel powerless and scared. Knowledge is power. Information meetings offer knowledge of the process you will go through and the help you will have along the way. The goal is for you to have the information you need to make the best decisions for your situation.
If you would like more information on navigating all the decisions divorce, legal separation, or marital mediation requires, contact Resolution Mediation by clicking HERE or calling 317-793-0825. We look forward to serving you.
As always, the above is for information only. Seek a professional for guidance in your personal situation. This is an advertisement
