Divorce is a process that includes many different steps. Some of those steps are simple and include relatively little emotional volatility and some of those steps are complicated and include high emotional volatility. For example, the €pre-filing step' of the divorce process is complicated because there is SO MUCH TO DO and it is also an emotionally volatile time because there is SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY and ANXIETY about the future. Another example is the €filing step' of the divorce process where the initial papers are actually filed at the local court house. The €filing step' of the case is relatively simple and includes less emotional volatility because the €filing step' marks the beginning of something new.

Another step that could be considered an €upswing' step in the divorce process is €mediation'. In most cases, mediation is the first step where the divorcing couple has an opportunity to sit down face-to-face and openly discuss settlement. Keep in mind, the mediation step of the divorce process can be complicated and it can include a lot of emotional volatility, but at the same time, the €mediation step' has the potential to reap huge benefits in the event that the divorcing couple is able to negotiate a settlement.

With regard to attending mediation, there is a lot of planning and preparing that ought to be completed beforehand in order to increase the likelihood of the divorcing couples success. Our purpose in writing this article is to ensure that you (the reader) are well informed beforehand, in order to increase the likelihood that your mediation will result in full settlement of each and every unresolved issue in your case:

Tip Number One: Identify The Unresolved Issues Beforehand. A lot of divorcing couples make the mistake of attending mediation without giving any thought whatsoever beforehand about what issues remain unresolved. For those divorcing couples, they can expect to waste about half an hour of time at mediation trying to determine exactly which issues remain on the table.

Tip Number Two: Discuss Settlement With Your Soon-To-Be-Ex Beforehand. By discussing settlement with your soon-to-be-ex beforehand, you will greatly increase the likelihood that very little time will be wasted at mediation. Also, discussing the proposed settlement beforehand will OPEN UP a channel of communication that will increase your likelihood of success at mediation.

Tip Number Three: Be Realistic. With regard to €being realistic', whenever you are practicing number one above €Identify The Unresolved Issues Beforehand', once you have successfully identified each one of the unresolved issues, ask yourself €How do I propose that each one of the unresolved issues be settled?' Keep in mind, that when answering this question, one ought to exercise reasonableness in order to create realistic expectations.