Mary Carollo: Utah Divorce Mediation

Your marriage is over and you want to save money and time and prevent the emotional trouble many people experience during a divorce. Mediation seems like a good option. What should you do?

Mediation is an informal process that is usually less expensive than other methods of divorce, including the collaborative divorce process and litigation. By keeping conflict low, mediation offers parties a chance to make required agreements and move forward without undue delay.

When you are ready for mediation, consider these steps:

Locate an effective mediator: There are many professionals and paraprofessionals, such as paralegals, offering divorce mediation. Stick with an experienced family law attorney who is trained in mediation. A skilled attorney acting as a mediator foresees legal problems that might arise and informs you of potential consequences you should know about.
Prepare emotionally for your mediation: Mediation helps people create satisfying divorce agreements. Make a list on paper of what you need from the mediation and what you want. Arrive ready to negotiate and compromise — but keep your real needs in mind.
Prepare financially for your mediation: Bring documents like pay stubs, tax returns and statements on all banking, savings, retirement, investment and other accounts. Prepare a realistic budget for your household.
Understand the ground rules: Talk to your mediator about ground rules prior to your session. Ask about process and whether the parties can speak privately with the mediator about private concerns that might become sticking points during the mediation.

As an informal method of dispute resolution, mediation offers a great deal. If you feel uncomfortable without legal representation, you and your spouse can each bring an attorney for personal legal support during mediation.

Interesting Divorce Statistics and Correlations

National statistics like the “divorce rate” are subject to constant scrutiny and analysis, and different studies may come to different results. The following are a few statistics and correlations related to divorce that may or may not surprise you:

Cohabitation before marriage increases the likelihood of divorce: This is one of those issues that has been studied over and over again, with differing results. One report from 2009 indicates there is a 49 percent chance of a couple divorcing within the first five years of marriage if they lived together before they were married, and a 62 percent chance a divorce will occur within 10 years. This contrasts with a 20 percent divorce rate within five years and a 33 percent rate within 10 years for couples that did not live together previously.
The “seven year itch” is a real thing: One study indicates that couples that make it through seven years of marriage have the best chance of a long-lasting, happy relationship. The first two years tend to involving getting to know each other more closely, while the third and fourth years are when people really settle into their marriages. The fifth year, meanwhile, is when stresses such as jobs and expanding families tend to begin complicating the relationship.
People who marry their affair partner are extremely likely to divorce: This is not particularly surprising, but one study indicates 75 percent of people who marry someone with whom they previously had an affair will get divorced.
Cheaper weddings are likely to lead to longer marriages: The average wedding in America these days is pushing $30,000. However, a CNN study from a couple years back showed couples who spend more than $20,00 on a wedding have a divorce rate 1.6 times that of people who spend between $5,000 and $10,000.

Free Consultation with Divorce Lawyer in Utah

If you have a question about divorce law or if you need to start or defend against a divorce case in Utah call Ascent Law at (801) 676-5506. We will help you.