Heeney, CO Divorce Law Firms & Lawyers

There are a few questions/issues here.  First, yes, you can reach a settlement with just a mediator, many people do it.  However, I generally advise people with few assets or simple financial issues to utilize this method as neither side is being provided with specific, personalized legal guidance.  A mediator can only facilitate your agreement, not provide either of you with specific legal advice.  In your situation, it sounds like there is potentially a large amount of money at stake.  Being sure you get an appropriate settlement is important not only for your survival, but for your ability to support your children.  maintenance (formerly known as alimony) is separate from child support.  I would suggest you consult an attorney to discuss the details, your questions, and concerns and ensure you are informed before entering into an agreement.  You may choose to continue with mediation without an attorney, but at least you will be better informed.  Once you make a deal, it becomes much more difficult (and expensive!) to try to change it down the road.

If you would like a free consultation, please give my office a call, and I would be happy to speak with you. I can not give out legal advice, without knowing who I am giving to, without risking a conflict of interest. Direct contact eliminates this issue. Here is some "Legal Information? (not advice) that may be helpful. 1) An important question is how did the two of you separate? Have you been leading totally separate financial lives for the last 10 years, except for the payments that you have been making? 2) One of the processes that happens in a divorce is that the parties have to exchange financial information. Her financial picture will effect the outcome. In a divorce, all marital property is divided. You really can?t take one piece of the division and assess fairness, without looking at the entire proposed settlement. 3) 95% of divorce cases end in settlement. Unless one of you is totally unreasonable, you should be able to reach a ?fair? resolution. 4) The important objective is to develop a settlement that is fair to BOTH of you. Reading your message, I?m not understanding the fairness of you giving her 73% of your monthly pension check. I would also want to understand her position on why 50/50 division of the pension is fair. 5) Neither of those questions can be fully answered without looking at your and her full financial picture(s) - i.e. what are your assets and debts; same for her; and what is her income. Also relevant, as stated above would be the ten years financial separation.

I think you are referring to a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, known as a QDRO for short. I suggest speaking with a specialist who does them and nothing else.