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Coachella Valley Divorce Mediation

If you have arrived at this point, you are most likely looking for a peaceful and mutual outcome for your divorce proceedings. You both are in agreement that it is time to move on with your lives and do not want to hash things out in court and allow a judge to decide your fate. Nor do you want to have to communicate through divorce lawyers who will charge by the hour and give you both a surpise invoice at the end. The mediator will work as a neutral 3rd party to help continue the negotiations in a peaceful manner and guide each of you on the various issues at end. We DO NOT TAKE SIDES. The goal will be a binding, stipulated judgement of dissolution to be submitted to the courts to finalize.

For a free consultation, please fill out our "Start Evaluation" form or give us a call!

619-702-9174

The final divorce settlement will be tailored to each of your needs and family. Each side will be given plenty of time to have their voice heard and communicate their needs and desires for the outcome of the divorce. With a divorce lawyer, communication can break when one lawyer is speaking to the other (both have their clients interests in mind), and this continues to delay the process. A Fair Way Mediation will facilitate the discussion from beginning to end.

Coachella Valley Divorce Help


We have a commitment to you, your spouse, and your family to create an environment that will remove any anger and help you move on with your lives. Even going to court can be extremely stressful, we make sure that you DON'T GO TO COURT. Everything will be settled outside of the court then submitted to finalize everything. The final agreement, marital settlement agreemnet, will be mutually agreed upon so that each party got a fair share in the end.

Rich Gordon is a skilled, compassionate and highly trained mediator that works as a 3rd party to the divorce process. With a divorce, it can be highly contentious and it is best to keep discussions calm while working things out. With communication and problem-solving methods, A Fair Way will enable you to generate creative solutions for both parties and your family.

Choosing A Fair Way Mediation


Affordable Approach


In contrast to a traditional courtroom divorce, which can accumulate substantial legal fees, a mediator facilitates a streamlined and economical process. Mediation involves a neutral 3rd who assists in resolving disputes peacefully, which reduces the expenses typically associated with prolonged litigation. By choosing mediation, couples can save considerably on attorney fees, court expenses, and the overall duration of the divorce proceedings.

Reduced Stress


Mediation, compared to traditional courtroom proceedings, creates an environment conducive to open communication and understanding between both parties. By engaging in structured discussions facilitated by A Fair Way Mediation, individuals can express their concerns, needs, and desires in a comfortable setting. This process often minimizes hostility, resentment, and emotional turmoil commonly associated with divorce proceedings. The mediator's role in guiding constructive conversations and finding mutually acceptable solutions not only speeds up the process but also helps alleviate the emotional strain that often comes with a divorce.

Quicker Resolution


Unlike traditional divorce proceedings, which often involve lengthy court battles and long waiting periods, mediation provides a faster route to reaching agreements. By engaging in open dialogue facilitated by A Fair Way Mediation, couples can address their concerns, negotiate terms, and find mutually acceptable solutions.. Mediation prioritizes the couple's active participation and promotes communication, allowing them to navigate complex issues such as asset division, child custody, and support matters in an expedited manner.

Tailored Solutions


Choosing a divorce mediator over litigation creates customized solutions tailored to the unique needs of the divorcing parties. Unlike traditional litigation, where outcomes are dictated by the court, a divorce mediator facilitates a collaborative process that allows both individuals to actively participate in crafting solutions that address their specific concerns. This personalized approach acknowledges the nuances of each situation, allowing for more creative and flexible agreements on critical matters such as child custody, asset division, and financial arrangements.

Future Relationships


By prioritizing respectful dialogue and compromise, mediation not only facilitates the legal aspects of divorce but also helps in preserving a semblance of respect and understanding, especially when children are involved. This approach often leads to a more harmonious post-divorce relationship, easing the emotional burden and laying a foundation for future interactions, which can be invaluable for co-parenting or maintaining connections within shared social circles.

Popular Articles


THE HUMAN APPROACH TO DIVORCE: INSIGHTS INTO MEDIATION

Divorce is a difficult and emotionally challenging process that marks the end of a significant chapter in one's life. The traditional approach to divorce often involves lengthy court battles, escalating tensions, and significant emotional and financial strain on both parties involved. But that approach is a thing of the past, there is an alternative, more human-centered method of navigating this tumultuous period: mediation.

A NEW BEGINNING: THE BENEFITS OF DIVORCE MEDIATION

Divorce is an emotionally challenging chapter in many people's lives, that often comes with tension, disagreements, and uncertainty about the future. While the process can be adversarial and draining, there's an alternative that offers a more peaceful and constructive approach to resolving differences: divorce mediation. This method is gaining popularity due to its numerous benefits for couples navigating the complexities of separation.

Divorce Mediation Questions

How much is divorce mediation compared to divorce litigation?down-arrow

Many couples turn to divorce mediation as opposed to litigation because of costs. Generally, the average cost of a mediated divorce is $3500 - $7000 (depending on the complexity of the case). With lawyers, the costs can easily exceed $25,000+ (per person).

How long after mediation is divorce final in California?down-arrow

On average, the divorce is finalized within a few months with the courts. The timeline is based on a variety of factors including the complexity of the issues involved in the divorce, the court’s caseload, and whether it’s contested or uncontested. Once the agreement has been reached, the divorce mediator will prepare the final paperwork to be filed with the court.

Do I have to go to court with divorce mediation?down-arrow

No. This is another primary reason couples choose mediation over litigation. All discussions will be settled out of court, once the agreement has been made you will simply submit the final paperwork to the courts which your divorce mediator will prepare. Discussions in mediation are kept private, when the case ends up in court it becomes a public record.

In a California divorce, what issues can divorce mediation cover?down-arrow

An experienced divorce mediation firm can cover a wide range of issues related to a divorce including: Division of Property: mediation helps couples divide their marital property, including debts and assets that have been acquired during the marriage. Child Support: through discussions, mediation can assist in determining the amount of spousal support to be paid to one spouse or the other. Spousal Support: can help determine the amount and duration of spousal support payments (if any). Retirement Accounts: mediation also helps couples divide their retirement accounts and pensions. Debt: divorce mediation can assist couples in resolving issues related to marital debt (credit cards, loans, mortgages). Business Partnerships: mediation can also help divide any business interests that have been acquired during the marriage. Pet Mediation: while not as known, mediation can also help with pet custody and support during the divorce process.

What is the difference detween divorce collaborative divorce and mediation?down-arrow

Collaborate divorce and mediation are both methods that can be used in place of a traditional litigated divorce. Each methods helps couples come to a mutual agreement and avoid court. There are a few key differences between the 2 alternatives. Collaborative Divorce: Is a process where each spouse hires their own “collaboratively” trained attorney to work with them and a team of professionals, attorneys and therapists, for example. Mediation: this is the process where a neutral 3rd party (the mediator), works with both spouses to facilitate discussions and ultimately reach a final agreement. Mediators do not represent either party, they help couples identify the issues and generate options for a peaceful resolution. Key Difference: In a collaborative divorce, both parties may have their own team of professionals who work with them to find resolutions. Whereas, a trained mediator doesn’t have a team of professionals and can handle all of the aspects of the divorce.

How is child support determined in a divorce case?down-arrow

Within the State of California, child support is based on a statewide guideline formulate that takes in a few different factors. Each Spouses Income: the formulate considers each parent’s income from all sources, including salary, wages, bonuses, commissions, and investments. Custody Agreement: this is the amount of time that the child or children spends with each parent (timeshare). In general, the more a parent spends with the child or children the less support they are required to pay. Childcare Expenses: if either parent pays for childcare expenses, such as daycare, those expenses are factored in to the child support calculations. Health Insurance: if 1 parent provides health insurance coverage for the child, the cost of that is factored in to the support calculation. Miscellaneous Expenses: other expenses that may be considered in the calculation include educational needs or special needs, transportation costs, or any other expenses.

What are the benefits of divorce mediation?down-arrow

There are a variety of benefits to divorce mediation as opposed to litigation, here are just a few. Overall Costs: in comparison to litigation, mediation is much less expensive. The average cost of a mediated divorce is around $3500 - $7,000, the cost of a litigated divorce can easily exceed $25,000+ with lawyer fees and court costs. Less Stress: divorce mediation is designed to provide a peaceful environment to work out the issues, minimizing the level of conflict between the parties. More Control: with divorce mediation couples have control over the outcome of the divorce. They work together to come to an agreeable settlement that meets the unique needs and circumstances of their situation as opposed to a judge making the final decision. Quicker Process: the average time for divorce mediation from start to finish is around 3-8 weeks depending on the complexity of the case and the couples ability to communication.

Do we have to meet in person or can we mediate online or phone?down-arrow

No. You do not have to meet in person. Discussions can be done over the phone or via online video chats such as Zoom or Skype.

How do I start the divorce process?down-arrow

With divorce mediation, since mediators act as a neutral 3rd party and does not represent either spouse, it’s recommended to discuss with your spouse before exploring options. We offer a free 30 minute consultation to answer any questions you may have while also gathering information as to how we can help!

What is pet mediation and How does this work in a divorce?down-arrow

While it may seem odd to many, pets are members of the family, and just like any other issues that need to be discussed, pet mediation in a divorce discusses custody and visitation of the pets. Learn More About Pet Mediation

About A Fair Way Mediation


As one of Southern California's top divorce mediators, A Fair Way Mediation has helped 100s of couples to obtain an affordable and peaceful divorce without going to court. We save our clients thousands of dollars in litigation fees and specialize in all forms of divorce mediation including military divorce and same sex divorce mediation. Our divorce mediators are skilled in all the facets of mediation and will guide you through the process. We provide divorce mediation services for couples throughout San Diego, Palm Springs, Riverside County and Rancho Mirage, Temecula, and Cathedral City.

For a free consultation, please fill out our "Start Evaluation" form or give us a call!

619-702-9174

2 Locations - San Diego and Palm Springs

San Diego

Coachella Valley