Alimony, Custody and Child Support Mediation

Spousal support and alimony

Whether spousal support applies, how much and for how long are often among the hardest questions in a divorce. States differ on whether guidelines apply and how duration is set. In mediation, you can look at both households’ budgets together and consider options a court might not, such as a lump-sum arrangement or support that steps down over time. The guide to spousal support in mediation explains more.

Custody and the parenting plan

Parents in mediation design the parenting plan themselves: decision-making, the regular schedule, holidays and how the plan will adapt as children grow. The guide to parenting plans covers each piece.

Child support

Most states use guidelines to calculate child support, with the parenting schedule and each parent’s income as key inputs. Mediation is where you work out the details guidelines do not settle, such as health insurance, child care and activities. The guide to child support in mediation explains how it tends to work.

When needs change

Support and parenting arrangements can often be modified when circumstances change significantly. Building a way to revisit them into your agreement can reduce the need to return to court.

What to bring to support and custody sessions

Support conversations tend to go faster when both of you have the same numbers in front of you. It often helps to bring recent pay stubs and tax returns, statements for retirement and investment accounts, health insurance costs, child care and activity costs, and a rough monthly budget for each household. If you have children, bring school calendars and both work schedules so the parenting plan and support can be discussed together.

When a court orders mediation

In many places, a court will send couples to mediation before it hears a dispute over parenting time or support. Court-ordered mediation explains how that requirement usually works and how a private mediator can often meet it. For Texas families, our Texas parenting plan guide covers conservatorship and possession and access, and uncontested divorce mediation explains how couples who already agree on most things can finish faster.

Where Resolvium mediates

Resolvium mediators work with couples online and in a number of local markets, including Chicago, Southern Illinois, San Antonio, Dallas, Charlotte, Asheville, Orlando and the Space Coast and Orange County. You can also browse all locations to find your state.

Questions couples often ask

Can we agree to a different amount than the guidelines?

In many states, parents can agree to an amount that differs from the guideline figure, though a court usually reviews it, especially for child support. Your mediator can explain how that tends to work where you live.

Can we settle custody first and support later?

Often, yes. Because the schedule can affect support, many couples settle the parenting plan first and then work through support with that in place.

What if one of us is self-employed?

Income for a business owner can take more work to pin down. Bringing business tax returns and recent financial statements can help, and in some cases a neutral financial professional is brought in.

Mediation depends on honest financial disclosure and both spouses being able to participate safely. If there is a safety concern or worry about hidden income, raise it at the start.

Resolvium mediators work with families in many states. Call (888) 537-1881 or book a consultation to talk through your situation.