Welcome to ValuationMediation.com, where our expert financial mediator, Melissa Gragg, guides individuals through the intricate process of valuation in divorce and business disputes. In this blog post, we shed a light on the detailed steps involved in her mediation process, providing insights into how she assists couples and business partners in reaching equitable settlements.

What is the best way to prepare for divorce mediation? Explore the transformative power of emotional liberation in divorce mediation. Discover how detaching from tangible possessions and anchoring to aspirations enhances negotiations, fosters empathy, and guides individuals towards resilient new beginnings. Navigate the complexities with clarity and grace. Dive into our guide for a holistic approach to divorce mediation.

In partnership with ChatGPT and our own advisors, we’ve created five steps someone should look into before investing in a product.

Many times, I am asked by my clients how to bring up the topic of divorce to their spouse. There is no right or wrong way. Bringing up the topic of divorce to your spouse can be difficult and emotional, as it is a major decision that can have significant outcomes for both parties. Make sure to take these tips into consideration when you are having this conversation with your spouse.

Most times when going through a divorce, children are involved. This is an emotional and confusing time for both the couple and children in the family. Here are a few ways to support your children during this sensitive process.

You are getting a divorce… now what? The very first place you will start is the financial picture of the family. What is marital property and is there any separate property? Most people are not sure, so whether you hire an attorney or work with a mediator, or even decide to do collaborative divorce, the first documents you will need to create with your attorney or a financial expert will be the statement of property and the statement of income and expenses.

Do I have to file for divorce – or are there other options?

I'm sure you're thinking at this point that the divorce process does not seem as simple as you originally thought, and typically if it involves a business valuation and or more complicated financial issues, then you could be correct. There are other options to getting divorced depending upon your situation , your relationship with your spouse, your communication history with your spouse, or even depending upon your financial situation.

Should I get a business valuation done before I file for divorce?

Most people will want to do some pre-divorce planning or at a minimum know what the business is worth before they even decide whether to get divorced. Typically the business owner will reach out to a valuation expert and say “I want to try to get a valuation number because I'm doing some strategic planning” or “I just want to know what the business is worth for internal purposes”. Typically, the owner will not tell the valuation person the whole story or that they are considering getting divorced. This could lead to a serious issue in the future divorce process if you get a valuation in writing, as of a certain date, for any purpose. This report and any emails you exchange with this valuation expert could now be discoverable. What that means is that any email or conversation you have with this person could be shared with everyone in the divorce process even if the valuation took place prior to the divorce.

Family law attorneys often ask me if they really need a valuation and how to work with a valuation expert witness in a divorce matter.

Here are some things to consider. What do you know about the business? Understanding whether you need a valuation has to do with several factors, some of them are about the business and some of the factors are about the strategy for testimony regarding valuation and maintenance issues.

How long does mediation take?

That's the golden question. I will tell you that depending upon how difficult your case is, how complex is the financial situation, and how complex your assets are will determine the time.

How much does mediation cost? It really depends again on the mediators and the complexity of your case. If you have a very simple case, you might be able to find a mediator that will do it for a fixed fee.