THE AURIT CENTER 
Imagine a kind and simple way to divorce — a way that’s less stressful, more affordable, better for your kids, and ensures that you never have to go to court
This route exists. It’s called divorce mediation.
Divorce mediation focuses on ensuring mutual respect between spouses and prioritizes children’s needs. Spouses work collaboratively to divide their assets, make child custody decisions, and respectfully end their marriage. Plus, it saves time and money while supporting each spouse’s well-being.
Even if you’re currently at odds with your spouse, mediation can help you find a mutually acceptable approach to your divorce.
This article is your guide to Colorado divorce mediation. Read on to learn how mediation works, its benefits, and how to find the right mediator.
What is divorce mediation?
Divorce mediation is a simple, collaborative approach to ending a marriage. Even when there is conflict, with the help of a trained mediator, spouses work together to create mutually beneficial agreements for all divorce-related topics.
Imagine your divorce unfolding with mutual understanding between you and your spouse — and with less stress and conflict than courtroom litigation.
Divorce mediation is a solution-oriented approach that lets you and your spouse create your own agreements without going to court. You’ll navigate tough issues such as property division, child custody, and spousal maintenance with dignity and respect.
In mediation, both of your voices are heard. Your mediator guides personalized problem-solving, which sets you both up to make good decisions that reflect the well-being of everyone involved.
Divorce mediation is inherently collaborative, not adversarial. You and your spouse work together on solutions to avoid an expensive, lengthy courtroom divorce.
In fact, mediation is 80–90% less expensive and much more efficient than traditional litigation.
Ready to move forward with clarity and peace? Let’s explore the process of a more harmonious end to your marriage.
How does divorce mediation work in Colorado?
If you choose divorce mediation in Colorado, you’ll navigate negotiations with your divorce mediator and create a Marriage Settlement Agreement for submission to the court for approval.
Prioritizing collaboration paves the way for a quicker, more amicable divorce.
Here’s a rundown of the Colorado divorce mediation process:
1. Decide on mediation
Mediation starts with a mutual decision — an agreement to replace litigation with conversation. When spouses opt for mediation over the courtroom, they choose to negotiate and reach mutual goals rather than go through the stress of a legal dispute.
2. Choose the right mediator
Successful divorce mediation often comes down to your choice of mediator. A competent divorce mediator encourages collaboration and supports both spouses. They’re also experienced in divorce law and understand Colorado’s state process.
Aurit Center Certified Mediators are accomplished divorce mediators with extensive experience. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation for your introduction to this collaborative divorce process.
3. Prepare for your initial meeting
Approach your first mediation meeting with a “collaboration over competition” mindset.
Be prepared to speak openly about asset division and parenting arrangements.
Fill out the Mediation Questionnaire. This will lay the groundwork for transparency in your meetings.
Check out our Complete Divorce Mediation Checklist for more ways to prepare for mediation.
4. Meet with your mediator
Meet with your mediator, who will raise each issue of the divorce, tell you what Colorado law says, and help guide a productive conversation to help you and your spouse reach mutually beneficial agreements.
5. Approach each meeting with openness
During mediation meetings, you and your spouse will share your perspectives, voice your needs, and envision the ideal outcome. The mediator will facilitate these discussions, modeling respectful, transparent communication the entire time.
6. Navigate negotiations
Mediators are skilled negotiators. While their purpose is not to make decisions for you, they offer experienced guidance from a third-party perspective.
From simple to complex issues, mediators help you explore the options to find a path that suits you and your spouse.
7. Draft the agreement:
Once verbally agreed upon, your terms take the form of a Memorandum of Understanding.
This document isn’t legally binding in Colorado. It simply outlines your mutual intentions as a blueprint for your post-divorce arrangements.
8. Review the agreement
You and your spouse review the Memo of Understanding to make sure that the drafted agreements align with what you agreed to in mediation.
Some spouses ask a divorce attorney to review this document. This is an option, but it’s not mandatory.
9. Craft your Marital Settlement Agreement
Once your Memo of Understanding is approved, you’ll fill out a Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) or Separation Agreement.
This document is more formal and detailed than the Memo of Understanding and ultimately becomes part of the legal divorce decree.
10. Finalize the divorce decree:
Once you’ve signed the MSA, your mediator will help draft your final divorce decree.
In Colorado, you’re not legally required to have a divorce lawyer draw up this agreement, but each spouse can still ask a lawyer to look it over with them.
11. Submit to the court for approval:
Finally, your proposed divorce decree is submitted to the court. This is often done by your mediator or a legal document preparer.
A judge will then review the documents. If everything is in order, the judge will issue a final divorce decree to make the divorce official.
12. Opt for future mediation support
Even after the divorce is final, mediation is always an option — especially if you have children.
As children grow and circumstances evolve, their needs will change. A mediator can help you refresh your co-parenting solutions and Parenting Plan to accommodate these changes and remain on good terms with your co-parent.
What are the benefits of divorce mediation in Colorado?
Divorce mediation offers several advantages over courtroom litigation, including cost savings, flexibility, and privacy.
This makes the difficult process of ending a marriage more manageable for both parties.
Here’s a snapshot of the benefits of mediation:
It saves money. Instead of going to court and paying tens of thousands of dollars in attorney fees, opting for mediation usually costs 80–90% less.
It saves time. There’s no waiting around for court dates while conflict skyrockets — instead, you can schedule your mediation meetings as soon as you’re ready. You will also arrange meetings on your own schedule, staying in control of the timeline of your process.
You can be flexible. Mediation helps you find solutions that work for your situation. You’re not stuck with a one-size-fits-all court decision.
Everything’s private. Court cases are public, meaning anyone can look at the details of your divorce. In mediation, however, everything you say stays between you, your spouse, and the mediator.
It’s cooperative. Mediation encourages you and your spouse to work together. This leads to a healthier divorce, which is especially important if you have children.
It’s less stressful. Court litigation is combative, whereas mediation is collaborative. Your mediator will assist you through the process, reducing your likelihood of experiencing stress.
You stay in control. You and your spouse make the decisions, so you both have a greater say in the final outcome.
It helps you communicate. An experienced mediator helps you talk things through without conflict.
“Divorce mediation is a smarter, kinder, and healthier route to divorce.”
How to find the right Colorado divorce mediator
The right divorce mediator makes a big difference in how smoothly your divorce goes.
Here are some tips for picking the right Colorado divorce mediator for you:
- Check their credentials and training.
A good mediator is trained and experienced in divorce mediation, with trustworthy credentials.
Our Aurit Center Certified Mediators are trained in forward-thinking mediation techniques and experienced with a wide range of cases.
- Make sure they know Colorado divorce law inside and out.
You need a mediator with a proven track record. A history of successful mediation cases shows that they have the expertise and skills needed to handle your case effectively.
Aurit Center Certified Mediators are well-versed in Colorado divorce proceedings and have experience helping hundreds of spouses reach mutual divorce agreements.
- Find a mediator who specializes in divorce.
Specifically, look for someone who dedicates more than half of their practice to mediation and can, therefore, handle any special considerations you might present, such as those related to special needs children or child custody issues.
- Read customer reviews and testimonials.
Search for online reviews to see what former clients thought about their experiences with a mediation service.
Check out our client reviews and testimonials to see what people thought about working with our Aurit Center Certified Mediators
- Understand their fee structure.
Credible mediators have transparent fee structures. Mediators who charge a flat fee for all mediation services tend to be more affordable than those who charge by the hour.
Aurit Center offers payment plans over 3, 6, or 12 months, making it easier for clients to fit into their budget.
Why choose The Aurit Center?
The Aurit Center offers a powerhouse blend of expertise and a full-time commitment to divorce mediation.
Founders Karen and Michael Aurit combine their vast knowledge of clinical psychology and law to provide mediation services tailored to your needs. Backed by a highly experienced team, The Aurit Center’s Certified Colorado mediators are ranked among the nation’s best.
With a proven track record in making future-forward decisions, we pride ourselves on finding realistic solutions that protect children from conflict and promote positive outcomes for everyone involved. Plus, we offer transparent, affordable pricing with predictable flat fees, so there are no surprises.
Begin your Colorado divorce mediation journey today
Divorce doesn’t have to be an adversarial battle. A peaceful path is possible.
Aurit Center Certified Mediators help spouses complete their process in an amicable way. With their guidance and support, you can finalize your Colorado divorce without a long litigation battle.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an Aurit Center Certified Mediator.
