Westfield Mediation, LLC
  • Home
  • About us
  • Mediation Services
  • Resources
  • FAQ
  • Contact us
  • Blog

Returning to Mediation After Divorce

12/18/2020

0 Comments

 
After finalizing a divorce, many people assume that the process is over forever. And while it can be for some people, in other cases, clients return to divorce mediation after they are divorced. In fact, post-divorce mediation is pretty common, and even encouraged by the Courts to resolve any disputes that come up later. But if parties are already divorced through mediation or litigation, why would this happen?

There are several possible reasons. In some cases, one ex-spouse is not following the agreement, and the other wants to follow up in mediation before returning to Court (as is often required by the divorce agreement).  In other cases, circumstances have changed – one partner has moved, remarried, or changed jobs.  Or maybe, the parenting schedule no longer meets the needs of the kids and the parties want to try to modify the agreement so it better reflects the new reality.

Sometimes, the world has changed in ways that were not predictable.  For example, many new questions have come up now with Covid 19  --  are the children going to school in-person or remote, can they visit extended family, play sports, etc.,  -- and these topics can be discussed in post- divorce mediation. Other times, the mediation agreement was vague on certain points, and now issues have arisen that weren’t specifically addressed  – like what time is pick up from one parent’s house on a holiday, or how are we dividing college expenses  -- and the couple needs to add more details to their existing agreement.

At Westfield Mediation, LLC, we work with our clients to address any post-divorce issues that have cropped up. By enlisting the help of a neutral mediator, ex-spouses can work on the agreement in a calm, productive manner. We recognize that many clients are frustrated to find themselves still working on their divorce, and we help guide them through any bumps in the road. By using mediation rather than litigation to resolve post-divorce issues, clients can reduce their stress, and save time and money.
​
For more information about divorce mediation or post-divorce mediation, please contact Randi M. Albert, JD, or Michelle Weinberg, M. Ed., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, at Westfield Mediation, LLC at 908.913.0373.  View our website at www.westfieldnjmediation.com or email us at info@westfieldnjmediation.com. 
 
 
 
0 Comments

ACCOUNTANTS AND THE DIVORCE MEDIATION PROCESS

12/4/2020

0 Comments

 
A divorce mediator is the primary member of your divorce support staff, but should not be the only one. The divorce mediator helps you reach decisions about a parenting plan, child support calculation, spousal support amounts and division of your assets and debts, all within the privacy of a relaxed atmosphere where you have control over the process. These decisions can be made relatively quickly while spending less money on the process. 

However, it is important to have additional members join in the process.  At Westfield Mediation, LLC, the divorce mediators always recommend that an accountant review your final divorce agreement before you sign it so that you are made aware of any tax consequences in your agreement.  For example, your retirement account that you are keeping is worth $100,000 and your spouse’s retirement account that s/he is keeping is also worth $100,000 and you each agree to keep the account that is in his/her name. But the accountant points out that one account is a 401(k), which is tax-deferred and the other account is a Roth IRA, which is tax-exempt.  In the 401(k) scenario you will pay taxes down the road and in the Roth IRA scenario the money is tax free once the money is deposited in the account. At the moment of your divorce the accounts have equal value but you will eventually have to take money out of your pocket to pay taxes on the 401(k) account.  You do not have to do this for the Roth IRA. 

During the divorce process on the paper balance sheet it looks like your divorce is going well and you think all is balanced financially.  You each have $100,000 in retirement funds, which you both worked hard to stash away each paycheck.  It is important to take the extra step of having an accountant or tax expert review your divorce agreement so that you fully understand the tax implications of your agreement. 

You are always going to pay taxes on these retirement accounts.  It is just a question of when you pay these taxes, before or after contribution.  These are important factors to consider when discussing assets during divorce mediation. 
​
For more information on divorce and divorce mediation, please contact Randi M. Albert, JD, or Michelle Weinberg, M. Ed., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, at Westfield Mediation, LLC at 908.913.0373.  View our website at www.westfieldnjmediation.com or email us at info@westfieldnjmediation.com. 

0 Comments

    Authors

    Michelle Weinberg, M.Ed.,LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with many years of experience working with couples.

    Randi M. Albert, JD, is an attorney with experience in family law and public service.

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011

    Categories

    All
    Division Of Assets And Liabilities
    Divorce Attorney
    Divorce Mediation Process
    Money
    Parenting

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.