Family Financial Mediation: Asset Division, Support & Settlement

From the Perspective of a Certified Family Financial Mediator

Family law isn’t just about relationships — it’s about homes, businesses, bank accounts, and future financial security. When couples separate, they must divide not only their lives, but also their assets and obligations. This process is often emotional, technical, and deeply consequential. That’s where Family Financial Mediation comes in.

In North Carolina, Family Financial Mediation is the legal system’s preferred method for resolving property and support issues arising from divorce. It offers a structured, confidential process where parties, with their attorneys and a trained mediator, negotiate division and support in a setting that encourages clarity and consensus.

At GHMA | LAW, our certified Family Financial Mediators guide attorneys and their clients through this complex process with a focus on resolution, not escalation.

What Is Family Financial Mediation?

Family Financial Mediation (FFM) is a court-approved dispute resolution method in North Carolina family law cases involving financial issues. It is used to settle:

• Equitable Distribution (division of marital property and debt)
• Post-Separation Support and Alimony
• Attorney’s Fees
• Occasionally, child support (if not resolved in custody mediation)

Unlike traditional litigation, FFM puts the parties, rather than a judge, in control of the outcome. It is required in many judicial districts before a financial case can proceed to trial.

Mediation doesn’t guarantee agreement, but it offers the best chance of achieving it in a way that minimizes cost, time, and stress.

Key Areas Addressed in Financial Mediation

Equitable Distribution

In North Carolina, marital assets and debts must be divided equitably, though that doesn’t always mean equally. Mediation allows parties to:

• Account for the full range of assets (homes, retirement accounts, business interests, etc.)
• Consider tax impacts, liquidity, and sentimental value
• Develop flexible solutions tailored to real-life goals

Spousal Support

Whether temporary or long-term, support awards are among the most contentious divorce issues. Mediation allows for:

• Confidential exploration of income, need, and ability to pay
• Recognition of nuanced family dynamics (career interruption, education gaps, etc.)
• Tailored agreements that balance security and independence

Attorney’s Fees

In many cases, one party may seek contribution toward legal costs. Mediation offers a neutral platform to discuss this need without further inflaming the conflict.

What Makes Mediation Work in Financial Cases

At GHMA | LAW, we approach financial mediation not just as lawyers, but as problem-solvers. We help parties and their counsel:

• Identify the full scope of marital assets and obligations
• Reality-test settlement options against likely court outcomes
• Avoid the cost and unpredictability of trial
• Preserve privacy, dignity, and momentum in the resolution process

Whether you're dealing with high-value assets, a family-owned business, or a simple division of property, mediation creates a space for agreement that reflects each party’s financial reality.

Mediation Services at GHMA | LAW

Whether you're here at the suggestion of your attorney or independently seeking to understand how family law mediation works, the resources on our website are designed to provide clarity, not confusion. At GHMA | LAW, our certified Family Financial Mediators work with parties who are represented by counsel to resolve divorce-related disputes through structured, confidential negotiation.

While our mediators do not typically conduct sessions where one or both parties are unrepresented, we recognize that many individuals research mediation as a potential alternative to litigation. These resources are here to help you better understand how mediated agreements are reached. When divorcing individuals are prepared and supported by legal counsel, mediation often provides a more focused, respectful, and less adversarial path forward.

As Board Certified Specialists in Family Law and Certified Family Financial Mediators, we provide not only dispute resolution, but also clarity, structure, and an environment that honors the emotional weight of this transition. We offer these materials to help you understand the mediation process from both a practical and human perspective. If you have additional questions, we encourage you to speak with your attorney or reach out to us for more information.

Key Takeaways

• Family Financial Mediation addresses complex financial issues such as property division, spousal support, and fees.
• It provides privacy, flexibility, and cost efficiency — especially when compared to litigation.
• At GHMA | LAW, mediators help attorneys and their clients reach informed, durable settlements that reflect the financial realities of both parties.