Divorce Mediation

This page on Divorce Mediation will help you make the best use of your time in mediation. Keep in mind that you will never be asked to sign any agreement or legal document in our office. This ensures that you have ample time to seek advice from friends, family and professionals before you sign anything. We serve Maryland couples and families, helping resolve issues involving divorce and family law, like child support and custody, division of assets and other civil issues.

Preparing for Mediation

  • Make a list of your Assets & Debts with approximate balances. If you don’t know, that’s ok. We will address this when we meet.

  • Avoid “Digging In” to a position about on an unresolved issue. It’s OK to talk about issues with your spouse or ex-spouse before coming to mediation, BUT HERE’S A CAUTION: Arguing about issues can result in each party “Digging In” to a position and makes future negotiation difficult. You might be wise to wait until your first mediation session before you start negotiating.

  • Consulting An Attorney: Some folks consult their separate attorneys before mediation. Others wait until a first draft of your Separation Agreement is prepared. If you intend to consult an attorney, we suggest that you find one who is “Mediation Friendly”. Many clients wait until after mediation is complete and review their Separation Agreement with separate counsel before signing it. YOU WILL NEVER SIGN ANYTHING IN OUR OFFICE. Agreements are mailed to you so you have the time to review them carefully.

  • Review the Mediation Checklist below to see what topics apply to you.

Mediation Checklist

Issues Relating to Your Children

  • Parenting Schedule (Lawyers call this “Custody & Visitation”)
  • Legal Custody (Decision Making)
  • Child Support (Required in Maryland)
  • Health Insurance (Coverage for Children)
  • Extra Medical Expenses (Not Covered by Health Insurance)
  • Dependency Exemption (Tax Issues)
  • Camp
  • Private School
  • College Education
  • Extra Ordinary Expenses (Costs for Things Other Than Basic Needs)
  • Parenting & Communication Rules
  • Changing Residences or Restricting Moves Outside of the Area
  • Introducing Children to Dates or Significant Others

MD DHR Child Support Calculation Site

Alimony & Spousal Support

  • Mutual Waiver of Alimony?
  • Amount
  • Duration Temporary or Permanent
  • Modification in the Future
  • Remarriage

Info About Alimony from People’s Law Library

Monetary Award & Issues for a Marital Property Settlement

    • Lump Sum Payment
    • Life Insurance
  • Benefiting Children
  • Benefiting Spouses
    • Health Insurance
    • Asset Allocation
  • Bank Accounts
  • Stocks & Bonds
  • Retirement Accounts (IRAs, Pensions, Civil Service Retirement, Etc.)
  • Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO)

Personal Property

  • Furniture
  • Automobiles
  • Boats & Planes

Marital Home

  • Home Sold
  • Home To Be Sold
  • Buy Out By One Party
  • Use & Possession w/ Buy Out
  • Public Auction

Debts

  • Division of Debt Responsibility
  • Each Party Pays Own Debts
  • Indemnification Clause

Tax Returns

  • Joint Filing
  • Separate Filing
  • Deductions
  • Exemptions

Counsel Fees & Court Costs

Other Real Estate

  • Rental Property
  • Vacation Home
  • Second Home
  • Time Share

Miscellaneous & Other Issues To Be Discussed