One question we often get is do you need to file for divorce before doing mediation. The answer is no. We can help you file.
Mediation Overview:
Your mediation is confidential. What happens in the mediation cannot be used in litigation of the matters discussed in mediation. Mediation is voluntary. Your mediator(s) are neutral third-parties with no authority to decide any issues or make you agree to anything in the mediation.
Our approach is designed to make the mediation process as helpful and efficient as possible. We like to get as much of the background work done before any in-person mediation.
The first step is to work on the google spreadsheet that we will share with you and give us the information that only the two of you have.
The second step is to pay your paperwork preparation fee which allows us to prepare most, if not all, of the 10-13 documents usually required to get divorced.
The optional third step is a conference call with the two of you. The purpose of the call is to let you know what the law is regarding the various issues with which you may be concerned so that you have a chance to ponder that information prior to any follow up phone and/or in-person mediation. On the phone call we’ll also make a note of the things you’ve already reached an agreement on, for example, who is getting which car, etc.
The optional fourth step, which is only done after doing step 3, is in-person mediation. By going through the first three steps we’ve narrowed down what is left to discuss in any in-person mediation such that it is focused and fast.
We’ve found this methodology dramatically shortens the time it takes to complete the entire mediation process.
We do not file your documents with the court for you. Once you have reviewed and signed the documents, you will take them to the court, pay the filing fee and file them with the court. You might consider bringing an extra copy of the signed forms so that the court can put the case number on them and file stamp them and return them to you. In this way you know exactly what is on file with the court.
Mediation Fees:
We charge a $47 setup fee due at the time the mediation is arranged. The setup fee includes a review of your information and situation by a trained mediator and a spreadsheet for you to complete that walks you through all the choices you need to make. Because of how helpful the spreadsheet is, it’s like a mini mediation and often no further mediation is needed. The paperwork preparation cost is a flat $147. Then, if any further mediation is needed, each hour of phone conferences/mediation is an additional $197 per hour with a one-hour minimum. Each hour of in-person mediation is $247 per hour with a one hour minimum. Because of our unique process, most the time, if any mediation is needed, it is completely finished in 1-3 hours or less.
Court Requirements outside of mediation:
The court requires full disclosure between the parties. You can find out what documents the court requires you to exchange with one another at this link: Colorado Mandatory Disclosure Requirements
If you have children, you are also required to complete a parenting seminar. The spreadsheet we share with you has a link to the available parenting seminars.
If all this seems overwhelming don’t worry, we are there for you every step of the way.