Post-Divorce Issues and Mediation in Pennsylvania

Once your PA divorce is finalized and a little time begins to go by, you may find that some of the arrangements of your settlement need modification. Especially if the divorce had been particularly painful or contentious, you may now realize that some decisions were made under duress or under the direction of strong emotions. Those decisions may now prove to have been erroneous or ineffective. 

Even if the divorce settlement has been working well for a while, changes in circumstances may require adjustments to your agreement. In these cases, mediation is an ideal choice. 

Possible issues that may require changes in divorce arrangements

Below is just a short list of the possible reasons why you may need to make changes to your agreement:

• Change in financial circumstances of one spouse, whether negative or positive, such as the loss of a job or a significant increase in income
• Desire to move out of the area
• Modification of child support
• Modification of child custody
• Significant change in the health of yourself, ex-spouse, or child
• Changes in spousal support (in Pennsylvania, alimony cannot be modified unless a modification provision is in the divorce agreement)
• Problem with terms of property settlement
• Retirement account complications that need to be revisited 

Why mediation is your better option

There are some issues that might not be appropriate or even legal to handle through mediation, especially when abuse or addiction is concerned. In such cases, I can act as your attorney rather than your mediator. However, in most cases, I find that mediation is a better option than litigation. 

As a mediator, it is my responsibility to help couples or ex-couples find amicable and mutually beneficial solutions to their situations with minimal emotional strife and significantly less cost than litigation. In mediation, I help facilitate discussion, resolve conflicts, inform you both of various points of law without giving legal advice, and help you both find creative and peaceful ways to resolve the issue. 

Time and time again, I have found this method to quickly and effectively determine a solution that allows the family to move forward in a positive manner. Give me a call at my Doylestown, Bucks County office, 215-345-5259, for a complimentary initial consultation so that we can discuss your situation.