One Valuation. Two Voices. One Agreement.
We help couples and business partners reach equitable settlements through expert preliminary valuations, global settlement offers and financial mediation—outside of court.
Make the First Offer. Secure the Settlement. Protect Your Future.
When it comes to divorce, your first offer can set the tone—or sink your case. Anchor the Deal is your essential guide to crafting a smart, strategic settlement offer that works for you.
This isn't just paperwork—it’s a power move.
Inside, you’ll learn:
🧮 How to calculate your perfect number—and when to let it go
🧠 Psychology-backed strategies to negotiate with confidence
✍️ How to write a strong, clear settlement offer that sets the tone
🔁 What to do when you’re hit with a counteroffer or "retrade"
📊 How to back your offer with financial facts, not fear
Built for those who are ready to negotiate like they mean it, this guide helps you get organized, make the first move, and avoid common traps that delay or derail settlement.
Negotiation Strategy Guide
Negotiation Strategy Guide
“You don’t need every document to make the first move—you just need a strategy to Anchor the Deal.”
Why is making the first divorce settlement offer so important?
In divorce negotiations, the first person to make an offer holds strategic power. This is called “anchoring the deal”—and it allows you to set the tone, the numbers, and the framework for what comes next.
Even if you don’t have all the documents or a full financial picture, you can make a reasonable offer based on current knowledge, supported by assumptions, preliminary valuations, or requests for missing data.
Making the first offer positions you as the decision-maker, not just the responder.
Why it works:
Created by Melissa Gragg, a financial mediator with 20+ years of experience in divorce court and mediation, Anchor the Deal blends courtroom insight, negotiation psychology, mediation prep and financial literacy to help you close the deal with confidence.
Whether you’re going to mediation, preparing for court, or taking the lead in a DIY divorce—this guide gives you the clarity and courage to own the offer.
Set the tone. Lead the negotiation. Anchor the Deal.
A well-prepared offer should include:
✅ A property statement: Listing assets, debts, and proposed division.
✅ An income and expense statement: Especially if requesting child support or alimony.
✅ Supporting documents: Screenshots or PDFs of bank balances, mortgage statements, etc.
✅ A narrative summary: Outlining key facts, marriage history, major issues, and your proposed plan.
✅ Assumptions: For any unknown values or missing documents.
This is the same method professionals use to prepare for mediation and court—now you can do it, too.
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Bridge Valuation Partners
Strategic planning valuations for estate planning, selling shares internally, gifting to family members, buying partners out or selling the whole company.
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Valuation Mediation.com
Valuations for Couples and Partners. Work together with one valuation expert to resolve your dispute with our settlement spreadsheets and preliminary valuations or “Reality Check” valuations.
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Podcasts & Sedlment (TM)
Would you like to be a guest on one of our Podcasts? Would you like to know more about our proprietary Sedlment Process? Stay informed and access our prior podcasts here
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The Divorce Allies, Elli Marketing & Elli Collective
Work with our affiliates and partners. We have connections to CPAs, CFOs, Financial Advisors, Divorce Coaches, Parenting Plan Specialists, Divorce Mortgage Lending Providers, Attorneys, Pro-Se Advocates and more.
Divorce Financial Mediation & Creating a Settlement Offer
As a seasoned financial mediator, I understand the complexities and questions surrounding divorce financial mediation and settlement offers. Many of you entering mediation may wonder how to choose the right mediator, whether you can make a settlement offer, and the role of mediation consultants. At ValuationMediation.com, we offer expert mediation consulting to thoroughly prepare you for this process, addressing everything from business valuations to financial intricacies, ensuring you're ready weeks before mediation begins.
Our approach includes a comprehensive analysis of your financial scenario, aiding in the creation of a detailed property statement and a strategic settlement offer. This preparation is crucial, as it sets the foundation for negotiations, particularly when complex financial matters like business valuations are involved. A business valuation can significantly differ in estimates, making it a pivotal piece of the settlement puzzle. We guide you through preliminary valuations, using market comparisons and data analysis to establish a fair market value, crucial for making informed settlement offers.
Mediation Strategy & Consulting
Mediation isn't just about arriving at a settlement—it's about strategy. Selecting the right mediator who understands financial nuances can make a significant difference. Our mediators are equipped with the financial acumen necessary to navigate complex valuations and ensure both parties understand the financial stakes involved.
Remember, a successful mediation requires detailed preparation and a clear strategy. Our goal at ValuationMediation.com is to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively negotiate and resolve your divorce financially. Whether you're dealing with business assets or personal finances, our tailored services help create a fair and actionable plan. If you're ready to take control of your financial outcome in mediation, reach out today and discover how our consulting can pave the way to a more confident and strategic mediation process.
Divorce Mediation Consulting: Working With Us
We specialize in mediation consulting to help you prepare effectively for the complexities of divorce mediation. Our focus is on empowering you with the right tools and strategies to navigate this process, even in the midst of litigation or when facing a tough negotiation scenario.
Choosing the right mediator is crucial, especially when the mediator may already be familiar with other legal professionals involved in your case. Effective preparation for mediation involves understanding all financial aspects, including business valuations and property assessments, which form the foundation of your settlement strategy. We emphasize the importance of being prepared weeks in advance, ensuring you are fully ready when your mediation date arrives.
Download our Book: A Guide to Empowered Divorce
This guide is designed to highlight the importance of building a strong team and understanding the key components involved in the process. Whether you are at the beginning stages of contemplating divorce or are already in the middle of it, this resource will help you focus on practical steps and informed decision-making.
Sedlment™
A no-court dispute resolution solution.
We’re here
to get you
settled
Sedlment™ is an innovative online dispute resolution process, when there is a Business Valuation dispute or value needed.
Couples & business partners work together
One Valuation Mediation Expert
What area do you need help with?
How do you create a Financial Disclosure for your divorce case and negotiate the offer?
Start by organizing all of your financial documents: bank accounts, retirement, credit cards, income, debts, and property. Then complete a financial disclosure statement (sometimes called a financial affidavit) listing your income, expenses, assets, and liabilities.
Once you understand the full financial picture, use that data to create a settlement offer—either your first offer or a response. Make sure it's:
Based on facts and documents
Includes your proposed division of property
Outlines support (if any)
Accompanied by a summary or cover letter to explain your rationale
You can Anchor the Deal by making the first reasonable offer, which sets the tone and leverage for negotiation.
Not sure where to start - check out this 6 minute video for an overview.
About Valuation Mediation
Neutral Business Valuation & Financial Mediation for Couples and Co-Owners
When reasonable calculations matters more than fighting in court and depleting your savings, we provide the numbers everyone can trust.
At Valuation Mediation, we specialize in helping divorcing spouses, business partners, and co-owners resolve financial disputes through a neutral valuation process—without stepping into court. As experienced financial mediators, we work directly with both parties to calculate the value of your business or shared assets, then guide you toward an agreement that feels reasonable for both sides.
Our process blends:
Expert business valuation (income + market approach)
Online presentations with recorded walkthroughs
Clear, easy-to-understand calculations
A follow-up session with your attorneys or advisors
We don’t just give you a number—we help you use it to settle.
Whether you're navigating a divorce, partner exit, or ownership transition, our neutral approach minimizes conflict, reduces costs, and gets results faster than traditional litigation, arbitration, or even collaborative divorce.
The Sedlment™ Advantage
For divorcing couples, our signature Sedlment™ process can help you complete your financial disclosure, preliminary company valuation schedules, parenting plan, and proposed settlement agreement in under 6 months—and for less than $20,000 if both parties are willing to engage constructively.
Waitlist times range from 1–2 months. You can reserve your spot today with a 90-minute initial strategy session for $500. Expedited scheduling is available upon request.
Ready to start?
Book your consultation and get the clarity you need to move forward—together, and on your terms.
FAQs Valuation, Divorce Settlement Process & Negotiating the Deal
What documents do I need to complete my financial disclosure?
Bank statements, tax returns, pay stubs, retirement accounts, mortgage info, credit card balances, and any proof of assets or debts.
Should I make the first settlement offer or wait for my spouse’s proposal?
Making the first offer can give you strategic leverage—it “anchors” the numbers and frames the negotiation around your terms.
What if I don’t have access to all the financial records?
You can still draft a preliminary offer based on assumptions and request missing documents in your proposal. It's better to start the process than to wait indefinitely.
How do I know if a settlement offer is reasonable?
A financial expert or mediator can help assess whether the offer is equitable based on the total marital estate and your state’s laws or statutes.
What is marital waste and should it be included in my offer?
Marital waste is money spent irresponsibly or secretly by your spouse (e.g., on affairs or addictions). If suspected, document it and include a note or adjustment in your offer.
Can I use a mediator instead of going to court?
Yes. Mediation is often faster and less expensive. A financial mediator can help both sides understand the numbers and negotiate a rational, reasonable deal.
Is Sedlment™ right for your dispute?
Schedule a time to review your situation with us and determine next steps, timeline, roadmap and actual fee estimate for your situation
Empower your divorce process.
To provide resources for couples, mediators and anyone interested in creating less trauma in divorce court, mediation or any family dispute resolution process.
Divorce Financial Mediation. Business Dispute Resolution. Valuation Services.
OUR SERVICES
Review other expert reports
Analyze and evaluate the findings of other experts to ensure accuracy and thoroughness in financial assessments.
Mediate the financial matters
Facilitate discussions and negotiations to resolve financial disputes amicably among parties.
Financial settlement scenarios
Offer a range of financial outcomes based on different settlement options to aid in decision-making.
Value pension plans
Calculate the current and future financial value of pension plans for equitable distribution.
Income analysis for the payment of
alimony and/or child support:
Assess income to determine appropriate levels of alimony or child support payments.
Discuss a complex financial matter:
Provide expert insight and clarification on intricate financial issues impacting legal cases or settlements.
Explore and download our library of free resources.
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The following is our preliminary data request. Please provide written answers to these questions or copies of documents which address the questions below.
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We provide consulting and financial analysis to assist individuals, and their mediators or attorneys, in the middle of a divorce. We specialize in valuation services when divorcing parties own any marital or separate business interests. We provide forensic analysis of bank statements and business financials, if necessary and requested by the client(s).
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We provide consulting and financial analysis to assist individuals, family members, partners, prospective buyers and sellers considering the value of a business for sale or purchase. We utilize the asset, market and income approaches to determine a reasonable value for the business.
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Mediators are neutral professionals. Their role is to help individuals clearly define issues, keep lines of communication open and promote discussion and resolution. Mediators do not make decisions for a couple. Rather the couple is in charge of making their own decisions about what the future, their children’s future and finances will be. Some of the issues that mediation addresses are plans for parenting children, division of property and future financial provisions. Mediation can be done both pre and post divorce.
How is our process different than traditional mediation?
Unlike conventional mediation, our process involves a financial expert as the mediator. Our method stands out by providing specialized financial expertise within the mediation framework, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of financial intricacies in family mediation cases.
Contact us.
melissa@bridgevaluation.com
(314) 541-8163
942 Briarwood Lane
St. Louis, MO 63130