Some married couples are okay with limited interactions during divorce. However, facing each other across a conference table can be a different matter. Read on and learn more about a few situations that force divorcing couples to face each other.

Divorce Interactions

When the parties agree on important divorce matters like child custody, debt, and asset divisions, it also means that interactions in person are kept to a minimum. It's common for divorcing couples to communicate only through their lawyers for long stretches of time. The exceptions are couples with minor children who must communicate and interact because of the children. There are at least four times during the divorce proceedings that call for the couple to meet in person: settlement conferences, depositions, mediation, and in court.

1. Settlement conferences are important because, if things are resolved at that point, there is no need for further face-to-face meetings. Couples will sit down together with their lawyers and work on any disputed issues. Anything agreed upon is put in writing and eventually becomes a permanent part of the divorce.
2. Depositions help the couple prepare for a courtroom trial. They are more formal than a settlement conference and the proceedings are usually recorded by a court reporter for later use should the case come to trial. In a deposition, the parties are sworn to tell the truth and are then questioned by both their own divorce lawyer and the lawyer for their spouse. They can take anywhere from a couple of hours to many days depending on the complexity of the issues.
3. Mediation attempts to avoid some if not all courtroom time by working with a professional trained in divorce mediation techniques. Often, one or two big issues can keep the divorce from moving forward, so the mediator has a conference with the parties both together and alone. They identify issues and try to get each party to compromise to some degree.
4. Courtroom meetings may be inevitable if none of the above get things straightened out. Though the couple will be interacting only through the judge, emotions can run high at this point in the divorce so things can get stressful and draining. Rely on your divorce attorney to help you get through the court sessions and try to remain calm and focused on what is most important to you personally when it comes to divorce issues.

Speak to your divorce attorney to find out more about all of the above face-to-face meetings.