divorce mediation in phoenix, arizona: what are its benefits?

DIVORCE MEDIATION

IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA

WHAT ARE ITS BENEFITS?

If You Want a Lower-Cost Divorce that Allows You to Come to the Best Settlement Agreement,

Mediation May be the Answer for You

http://www.singerpistiner.com/

Divorce Mediation in Phoenix, Arizona: What are Its Benefits? www.singerpistiner.com 2

When a couple is divorcing in Arizona, many decisions need to be made before

the marriage can be dissolved. A settlement agreement must be drafted that

includes details on how marital assets and marital debts will be divided. A

custody agreement must also be drafted that specifies how parenting time will be

split and who has the authority to make decisions on behalf of the child. Finally,

there must be an agreement on both child support and, if applicable, spousal

support.

There are different ways to approach divorce and to make decisions on custody,

assets and support. One option is for the couple to go to court and have a judge

issue a ruling on these issues. This is called a litigated divorce and it may be very

expensive and acrimonious, often resulting in significant stress for all involved

parties. Another option, and a better option for most couples, is mediation.

If you want a lower-cost divorce that allows you to come to the best settlement

agreement, mediation may be the answer for you. You will need to be


represented by an attorney to protect your rights during mediation and you

should look for a Phoenix, AZ divorce and family law professional with extensive

experience representing clients in mediated divorces.

UNDERSTANDING MEDIATION IN DIVORCE

Mediation is a process by which you and your spouse are able to work together

to create a divorce settlement agreement rather than litigating the issues of the

divorce. Instead of an

adversarial approach to

dissolving your marriage,

mediation is a cooperative

approach.

When you decide that

mediation is right for you, a

professional third-party

mediator will assist you and

your spouse in making shared decisions on custody, assets, support issues and

debts. Mediators are trained professionals who usually have a background in

behavioral sciences, psychology or social work. They do not take sides or issue

orders or rulings but instead they facilitate the communications process between

you and your spouse so you are able to clearly express your wishes and come to

a compromise.

Mediators can make it possible for you to agree on issues when otherwise you

might be unable to do so. However, both spouses need to be committed to

mediation to make it work, as mediation is a voluntary process.


BENEFITS OF MEDIATION

There are myriad benefits associated with choosing mediation for your divorce

instead of choosing litigation. Some of the advantages of mediation include the

following:

Lower costs. When you go to court and have a judge issue rulings and

make decisions during your divorce, you will incur significant expenses. In

addition to court fees, you will also have more legal fees since your lawyer

will need to prepare a case, attend hearings and make arguments on your

behalf. You may also have additional charges for expert witnesses

including forensic accountants or child psychology experts who you may

need to help you to present evidence to the judge.

A quicker divorce. Instead of having to spend days or even weeks in

court, you can more quickly resolve your issues with the help of a mediator.

Once you have come to an agreement, you can simply present your


settlement to the judge in a single hearing in which he is able to dissolve

your marriage.

A more amicable divorce. When you litigate a divorce, you and your

spouse are on opposing sides and arguing against each other. This creates

a significant amount of disharmony and can further poison any remaining

relationship that you and your spouse have. If you have shared children,

this is very bad for the family dynamic. When you work together to come to

an agreement, you can maintain a more cordial relationship and avoid

added discord that can affect both you and your children.

A better divorce settlement. You and your spouse are each in the best

position to know what property and assets are most important to you and

what custody arrangement makes the most sense given your family

dynamics. Asking a judge to decide on these issues can result in a more

imperfect agreement that no one is happy with. If you are able to

compromise and negotiate, you can create a divorce settlement that makes

sense for your family and that allows you each to retain the property and

assets that have the most value to you.

These are just some of the many benefits associated with choosing mediation for

your divorce. You should speak with an experienced Phoenix, AZ divorce and

family law professional for more information on whether mediation is right for you

and for help during the mediation process.





About Singer Pistiner, P.C.

In the midst of a family crisis, you may feel like you have nowhere to turn. But there is a solution. At Singer Pistiner, P.C., we will help you to find it. As a small firm, we are able to respond quickly to your needs and concerns. The efficiencies of being a small firm also enable us to provide high-quality legal services at affordable rates.

At Singer Pistiner, P.C., in Phoenix, Arizona, we know that divorce is an emotionally and financially taxing experience. That’s why we provide you with a simple, quick and personalized approach to family law services where you will deal with one attorney who will handle your case from start to finish.

Your Personal Attorneys

Throughout the legal process, our lawyers will keep you informed of important developments. We will return your phone calls, answer your questions and address any additional issues that may arise in the course of your case.

We will devote all of the time and effort needed to achieve the best possible outcome. Our law firm can take your case to family court, which is a part of the Superior Court of Arizona, or handle it through another avenue of resolution such as mediation. In addition to divorce, our lawyers handle paternity, prenuptial agreements, grandparents’ rights, orders of protection, child relocation, and modification and enforcement issues.

In any family law case, your best interests are our overriding concern. Our goal is to find the right solution for you — in an efficient, timely and affordable manner.

FAMILY LAW ATTORNEYS SERVING PHOENIX, GLENDALE, SURPRISE, SCOTTSDALE, TEMPE, CHANDLER AND MESA

If you’d like to know more about how our Phoenix family law firm handles divorce and other family issues, please feel free to call 602-264-0110 or send us an e-mail to schedule a free initial consultation.

Singer Pistiner, P.C.

1 East Camelback Road, Suite 550

Phoenix AZ 85012

Phone: 602-264-0110

Fax: 602-264-0440

Website: www.singerpistiner.com


divorce mediation in phoenix, arizona: what are its benefits?

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