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Anyone who knows how long a divorce can drag out in the Colorado family court system will recommend mediation as a way to keep your sanity.  But ultimately it is the state of your relationship during a separation that will determine whether mediation is a good idea.   As a Colorado Springs family lawyer, I’ve seen some “amicably separated” couples become openly hostile when faced with a complicated divorce settlement. 

If you and your spouse separated on bad terms and have not been able to clear the air, then coming together to resolve matters of child custody, property division and spousal support may seem overly optimistic.  However, if you can find a way to make it work, divorce mediation can be a much more productive way to resolve issues without the intervention of a court.  Some couples, after spending long periods of time battling each other in court, finally decide to work things out in mediation.   This not only saves them from the emotional stress of court appearances, it also dramatically reduces legal fees.

How does divorce mediation work in Colorado Springs?

First, you will need to select mediator.  Alternatively, you and your former spouse can be assigned a mediator by the court.  In the event that you select your own, your respective divorce attorneys will probably want to discuss the choice of a mutually acceptable mediator.  However, if your spouse agrees to mediation but is unwilling to share the cost, you will most likely be more influential in choosing a divorce mediator.   One benefit of using a mediator assigned by the court is that it is usually free.  However, if you want someone with a certain area of specialty it may be more beneficial to hire your own.

What’s nice about using a divorce mediator is that they can negotiate a settlement that is less rigid than what a court would decide.  Courts base their decisions on formulas, evidence and precedents, where a mediator will look at what will make the most sense for the parties.  Of course, you will still be accompanied by your lawyer, so you will be assured that the final agreement is in your best interests.

To learn more about using mediation in a Colorado divorce case, contact Marrison Law for a free consultation with a Colorado Springs family lawyer. 

Patricia Marrison is a Family Law attorney in Colorado Springs, CO. and the owner of the Marrison Family Law LLC, Colorado Springs largest Family Law practice.  The Marrison Family Law LLC is devoted to assisting with the difficulties of the breakup of relationships, be it common law marriage, a non-marriage with children, or dissolution with or without children. We attempt to serve the entire spectrum of relationships, from those couples with the simplest, uncontested dissolution to the highly conflicted relationship involving allegations of domestic abuse.