Steps in a mediation divorce

A divorce mediation case has three steps, all of which may be completed in my office:

Spouses meet with their mediator to discuss divorce topics.
Legal documents are drafted, reviewed, and signed.
A decree changing marital status is requested from a court.

Note: In Pennsylvania, this third step is done by submitting paperwork to a judge. Spouses are not required to set foot in court.

Husbands and wives may move through these three steps quite quickly, or as slowly as they wish. In divorce mediation, spouses choose the pace that is best for themselves and their family.

Timeline for a mediation divorce in Pennsylvania

Cost of divorce mediation in Pennsylvania

Schedule free consultation about divorce mediation

Step 1: Divorce mediation sessions

Spouses meet with their mediator in one or more divorce mediation sessions. During this first step of a mediation divorce:

The mediator helps divorcing spouses fully discuss all important topics.
Spouses decide the terms of their divorce together.

Each session lasts 2 to 3 hours. Spouse may choose in-person or virtual divorce mediation.

Spouses may feel anxious before and during a mediation session, but their mediator will help them:

calmly discuss divorce topics,
consider common solutions to issues, and
focus on problem solving.

Couples who had difficulty communicating recently may be surprised by how productive and peaceful divorce mediation sessions can be.

Tips for a more peaceful divorce mediation

Divorce peacefully

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Step 2: Legal documents

These documents may be drafted, reviewed, and signed to make the terms decided in divorce mediation legally binding:

Postnuptial Agreement. A legal contract resolving spousal support, alimony, distribution of marital property (home, investments, retirement accounts, pensions, etc.), payment of marital debts, and many other important matters. A postnuptial agreement is drafted in about 85% of cases in my office.
Child Support Agreement. A legal contract about a child's financial support, health insurance coverage, healthcare costs, childcare costs, and other child-related expenses. A child support agreement is drafted in about 90% of cases involving a child who is younger than 18 years or who is still in high school.
Child Custody Agreement. A legal contract about the parenting schedule (physical custody of a child), decision making (legal custody of a child), limits on relocation, etc. In my office, a child custody agreement is drafted in just 10% of cases involving a child younger than 18 years.

Note: In Pennsylvania, divorcing parents are not required to sign a Child Support Agreement or Child Custody Agreement.

Deed. A legal document transferring ownership of a residence or other real estate to a spouse.
Court order distributing a retirement account or pension. A legal document signed by a judge distributing a pension, or distributing a retirement account without tax penalty. Depending on the type of account being distributed, this court order may be called a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO), retirement benefit court order (RBCO), court order acceptable for processing (COAP), military retired pay division order, or an approved domestic relations order (ADRO).
Notice of Intention to Resume Prior Surname. A legal document electing to go back to using any prior name (maiden name, birth name, or prior married name).

Spouses may not need or want all of these legal documents. Whether to draft particular documents will be discussed at a free consultation about divorce mediation.

After legal documents are drafted, each spouse can take whatever time they need to review them before signing. Also, either spouse may choose to have their own attorney review legal documents before signing.

Do I need my own lawyer for a mediation divorce?

Step 3: Divorce decree

A decree is a court order that changes the marital status of wives and husbands. Getting a divorce decree, when both spouses are ready, is the third step in a mediation divorce.

Husbands and wives who reach an out-of-court agreement can get a Pennsylvania divorce decree without setting foot in court. This step is handled by submitting paperwork to a court.

An entire divorce mediation case that includes discussing and deciding important topics, signing Pennsylvania legal documents, and getting a Pennsylvania divorce decree can be completed in my office.

Dann Johns, Divorce Mediator & Attorney

Schedule a free consultation about divorce mediation

With my help, a divorcing couple may request a decree from almost any county court in Pennsylvania. They may choose:

Their home county, especially if they want or need to file their postnuptial agreement.
Another Pennsylvania county for ease, privacy or reduced cost.

Options of where to file for a decree are discussed during divorce mediation, so spouses may make an informed decision together.

Timeline to get a Pennsylvania divorce decree

Cost of divorce mediation in Pennsylvania

Divorce mediation for you and your spouse

Consider sharing this website with your spouse. If both of you are interested in a mediation divorce, the next step is to schedule a free consultation about divorce mediation.

To learn more about divorce mediation, visit the site map (helpful summary of each page of this website) or search by topic using the navigation menu.

I wish you and your spouse much peace and well-being!

Dann Johns
Divorce Mediator & Attorney