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Divorce Mediator San Diego County

A Fair Way Mediation has been providing divorce mediation services to couples in San Diego County for over 3 decades!  You may be exploring options as to whether to go the "mediation" route or the "litigation" route.  They are VERY different in their approach to getting a divorce.  While litigated divores tend to be very hotly contested, with emotions and lawyers involved, mediation takes a different approach and relies on communication and peaceful discussions to come to a conclusion.

We offer a no cost consultation, please fill out our "Start Evaluation" form or give us a call!

619-985-2357

The goal of A Fair Way Mediation is to make the divorce a peaceful and mutually beneficial process.  We can work out the exact same issues on your own terms, without having to communicate through lawyers.  And unlike the litigation route with lawyers looking after their own clients, WE DO NOT TAKE SIDES.  Each individual is allowed the opportunity to discuss their goals and desires so everything is laid out on the table, and issues can be worked out piece by piece to come to an agreement.  

Control the Outcome


A great aspect of mediation is that you control the outcome., not the courts or a judge. A judge doesn't know the ins and outs of your divorce or yourselves, and just bases the decision on evidence presented to them.  This can be unfortunate in many cases since an outside individual just simply doesn't know the intiricacies of your particular issues at hand.  With mediation, the outcome is put back in to your hands.  

Divorce Mediation is Confidential


When your divorce proceedings carry over in to the courts, this becomes public record.  When your case is presented in front of the judge, specators will be allowed in the court. With divorce mediation, all proceedings and agreements are kept out of courts and private, out of public realm.

The Goal of San Diego Mediation


The primary goal of mediation is to help you end the divorce disputes with common goals between the couples. To find a mutual agreement between both parties so that you both can move on with your lives personally.  When a peaceful agreement is reached, everyone wins.

Mediation 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.

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.

We offer a no cost consultation, please fill out our "Start Evaluation" form or give us a call!

619-985-2357

Why Couples Turn to Mediation


Encourages Communication


Unlike traditional divorce proceedings that can create further conflict, mediation encourages open dialogue between the spouses. By providing a supportive environment, the San Diego divorce mediation team at A Fair Way Mediation promotes effective communication allowing both parties to express their concerns and needs in a positive manner. This approach helps couples maintain a peaceful relationship, even more so when children are involved. Your San Diego divorce mediator will act as a neutral 3rd part to help sort through the issues that need to be discussed and agreed upon, giving plenty of time for each side to express their goals and work to a solution. Oftentimes with litigation, couples end up having to communicate directly with their respective lawyers which can increase the amount of time to complete the divorce and lose the ability to convey their thoughts and needs accurately to the other spouse.

Decision-Making Power


Mediation also gives couples more control over the decisions that will impact their futures. Rather than having to rely on a judge to make a final determination that will dictate your future, mediation allows couples to participate in negotiations to reach mutually agreed upon solutions. This level of control reduces the feeling of helplessnes and leads to greater satisfaction with the final settlement. Most marriages have issues that couples specifically understand for themselves, and it's difficult to have to present a case in front of a judge who does not fully understand the intricacies of your marriage and that will ultimately decide your fate based information that is provided by the respective lawyers.

Cost-Effective and Time-Efficient


Compared to a traditional litigated divorce, mediation is cost-effective alternative. The streamlined process that mediation provides can significantly reduce the legal fees. While litigation costs for a divorce can easily exceed $25,000+ per person, the average cost of a mediated divorce ranges from $3500 - $7000 (depending on the complexity of the case and the couple's ability to communicate). Mediation also provides a time-efficient solution as the average time to mediate a divorce can range from 3 weeks to 3 months, on average. With litigation, it can take up to 8 months to simply get your first hearing in front of the judge depending on the court's backlog. Couples are looking to move on and don't want the process to last longer than it needs to be which is why most couples turn to mediation.

We offer a no cost consultation, please fill out our "Start Evaluation" form or give us a call!

619-985-2357

 

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.

We offer a no cost consultation, please fill out our "Start Evaluation" form or give us a call!

619-985-2357

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

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