There Are Several Stages Of Mediation
The first stage of mediation is for all parties – the disputing parties and third-party neutral or mediator – to set a date, time and place to meet. At this meeting, they will identify all the issues and get the history of the marriage, including the date of separation. After the first session, I, attorney Hogan W. Song, as a Certified Family Law Specialist and mediator, will then start work on the required financial disclosures. Each party will have to complete and sign their Preliminary Declaration of Disclosures. In order for the mediation to be effective, both parties have to reveal all their assets and debts. If one party does not reveal everything, mediation will not work. More importantly, there are serious legal and financial consequences that can result from a failure to disclose.
Nothing Is Final Unless Both Parties Agree
Once the Preliminary Declaration of Disclosures is completed, we then will meet again to discuss how to divide the property. I will provide information about the various options to deal with the family home, bank accounts, retirement, and debts. Nothing is final until the final written agreement is signed. Both parties will have equal input expressing their wishes and reasons for their position, and to come to a compromise that works for their long range goals.
Following the property division, we will then work out custody and visitation schedules. We will meet and discuss where there is agreement and then help both parties flesh out their disagreements. I will also provide information that will help for future situations for inclusion in the final written agreement.
Once custody and visitation are settled, we will deal with child and spousal support. There are times that property division may be revisited.
Once all the issues are discussed and agreed upon, I will prepare the final judgment and forms, execute and file them with the court. We will discuss what can be modified and what should not be modifiable. At the end, you will have a rock-solid judgment prepared by an experienced divorce mediator.
Contact Me For A Consultation
I am Hogan W. Song, an experienced divorce mediator, Certified Family Law Specialist, and mediator with a passion to help disputing couples resolve their differences in privacy of mediation. Contact Song Family Law, APLC, through my secure website or call 888-999-0259. From my offices in Mission Viejo and Orange, I serve clients throughout Orange County.