Spousal Support Even though child support is considered more important than spousal support/alimony, spousal support is much harder to deal with both for the spouses and the legal professionals who provide service: Attorneys, Mediators, Divorce Coaches, Document Preparation person, Therapists. History of spousal support Not gender-driven, while gender plays a huge role when the woman makes more than the man. Reasons for spousal support How to Prepare for the Mediation for spousal support The Negotiation Payor Spouse Offer and Responses Recipient Spouse Offer and Response   Child Support Monthly Amount vs Miscellaneous Expenses. The big wrinkle in child support is the time spent with the children by each parent. The time spent with each parent influences the monthly amount if your state uses a state approved calculator. Negotiable Issues How to Negotiate Don’t disparage the other spouse Don’t punish the other spouse by proposing a restrictive schedule if the other parent has been a dialed in parent. Make the discussion child-focused. Think of what it will be like for your child to move between houses. Come to the mediation to compromise. Otherwise, schedule a Hearing to have a Judge make decisions for you. Speak respectfully to your spouse. Lower your tone of voice. Don’t stress out; let your mediator do their job to balance the conversation. But don’t let yourself be controlled or bullied.   #spousalsupport #alimony #childsupport #childfocused #mediation #divorce #divorcesettlement #lawyer #mediator #specialmaster #divorcecoach #therapist #communication #negotiate #divorcenegotiation #payorspouse #recipientspouse