Can You Mediate Alimony When You and Your Spouse Disagree About Income?
Alimony can be one of the more difficult financial issues to resolve during a Miami divorce. These discussions may become even more complicated when spouses cannot agree about how much money one of them actually earns.
For example, one Miami spouse may receive a regular salary plus bonuses or commissions. A spouse who owns a business or is self-employed may have income that changes throughout the year. In other cases, Miami spouses may disagree about how much one of them is capable of earning.
An income disagreement does not necessarily mean that mediation is no longer an option. In fact, disagreements are one of the reasons spouses may choose Miami alimony mediation in the first place. Here we discuss how a neutral Miami alimony mediation attorney can help spouses work through disagreements about income and alimony and move forward with their divorces.
Why Does Income Matter When Discussing Alimony?
When divorcing spouses are discussing alimony, their financial circumstances can be an important part of the conversation. However, determining those circumstances is not always as simple as looking at two paychecks. One Miami spouse may earn a predictable salary while the other receives commissions that change from month to month. Bonuses may make income higher during some years than others. Business owners and self-employed spouses may also have more complicated financial records.
These differences can make it difficult for Miami spouses to agree on the financial picture they should use when discussing alimony.
Do You Have to Agree About Income Before Going to Mediation?
Importantly, Miami spouses do not need to have every financial issue resolved before they begin mediation. If you and your spouse disagree about income, that disagreement can become part of the mediation discussion. Each spouse can explain their position and the financial information they believe is important.
The goal of mediation is not for the mediator to decide which spouse is right. Instead, mediation provides a structured setting where both Miami spouses can identify the issues keeping them from reaching an agreement and explore possible ways to resolve them.
What Does a Miami Alimony Mediation Attorney Do?
A Miami alimony mediation attorney, or “mediator,” is a neutral third party. This means the mediator does not represent either spouse and does not advocate for one person to receive more or pay less alimony. Instead, the mediator facilitates discussions between the spouses. When income is disputed, this may involve helping the spouses identify exactly where they disagree and keeping the conversation focused on possible solutions.
For example, the disagreement may concern a bonus, fluctuating commissions, self-employment income, or how the spouses view one person’s earning ability. Understanding the specific disagreement can help Miami spouses have a more productive discussion about alimony.
Finding a Miami Alimony Mediation Attorney
Disagreements about income can make alimony discussions more difficult, but they do not necessarily prevent Miami spouses from trying mediation.
At TNL MIAMI, Daniel Umbert serves as a neutral Miami alimony mediation attorney, helping divorcing spouses discuss financial disagreements and work toward mutually acceptable solutions. If you and your spouse are having difficulty resolving alimony issues during your Miami divorce, contact TNL MIAMI today to learn more about how alimony mediation can help you.
