Search Mediators Near You:

Wild Ride!

From the Real Divorce Mediation Blog

The stock market’s been a wild ride over the past year and unlike rides in amusement parks the ride is NOT amusing! The situation increases anxiety for divorcing couples who are already stressed out and feeling the pressure of financial shortage….and it creates havoc for asset valuations.

The stock market roller coaster can really cause a mess when valuation dates are imposed by the court. For example, stocks could be worth $500,000 on the valuation date but when they are actually distributed to the spouse receiving them the value could be $250,000 or less in this market! What can you do?

First, don’t panic. And don’t let the court decide. You and your spouse are the two people who care the most about your assets and how they are distributed……talk over how to account for stock market turbulence in mediation.

Second, remember you and your spouse have common interests. It is important to each of you to preserve your assets.

Third, understand your assets. Review your assets and make sure you know what assets you own, the risk factors, and how best to preserve them. A visit to a financial advisor can help you with this.

Fourth, brainstorm. Take volatility, personal needs and objectives, asset mix, and tax consequences into account. Work together to create options that both spouses understand.

Finally, create the best plan you can. Do not allow a court to decide your future. Remember, courts generally do not consider your needs and interests or take stock market volatility into account.

Mediators are not financial experts, but through the mediation process clients can work with experts to discover tools and common interests and create a plan that works best under the circumstances!

                        author

Debra Synovec

Debra Synovec, a Seattle-based mediator and lawyer, has mediated divorces for 20 years. She believes in empowering the parties to reach their own resolution. MORE >

Featured Mediators

ad
View all

Read these next

Category

Imagine Peace!

From the Real Divorce Mediation Blog of Nancy Hudgins and Debra Synovec Imagine what would happen if everyone practiced non-violence and chose peace! Dedication to non-violence and peace in behavior...

By Debra Synovec, Nancy Hudgins
Category

Using Mediation to Develop a Prenup that Satisfies Both Parties

My last mediation of 2020 was for a prenuptial agreement, and to me it was kind of a sign of hope for the year to come. The couple had given...

By Roseann Vanella
Category

Preparing For Effective Employment Mediation

Introduction Journal articles 1, law review articles 2 and court decisions 3 dwell on the question of whether mandatory employment arbitration clauses are enforceable. This discussion is important, but to...

By Joe Epstein

Find a Mediator