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Indian Wells Divorce Mediation

If you and your spouse are considering your divorce options whether to go the litgation route or mediation, There are a variety of factors to consider when exploring your options between the 2 services as we are sure you are aware. A Fair Way Mediation has been providing Indian Wells divorce mediation services for over 4 decades, helping couples to get an affordable and peaceful divorce. This is one of the primary reasons that individuals choose divorce mediation, the arguments and emotions are controlled so that you both can come to a peaceful and mutually beneficial decision. With litigation it can be very stressful and contentious, creating a "must-win" scenario that is not good for either party.

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

760-227-5090

We understand that divorce can be stressful, our goal is to provide a very calm atmosphere with one goal in mind, allowing you to both move on with your lives in a peaceful and mutually beneficial manner.

Divorce Mediation: No Court


As if a divorce wasn't stressful enough, going to court to hash out the issues in front of a judge can be even more stressful. With divorce mediation, you do not have to go to court. Oftentimes when it comes to litigation and it proceeeds to the court system, it can take anywhere between 5-7 months for your first appearance. Then another 5-7 months after the first appearance to return for a judgement. We understand that you don't want this dragged out any longer than it has to be, with divorce mediation the final agreement takes anywhere between 4-6 weeks depending on the ability of the couple to communicate. Remember, there are still court filing fees, lawyer fees and also the fact that your divorce becomes public record.

Indian Wells divorce mediator Rich Gordon can help you with the most efficient divorce mediation services in the area. We will help you avoid courts and settle things on your own terms, not the judge.

Is Indian Wells Divorce Mediation Right For Me?


Well this depends on what you are looking for and your situation. If you and your spouse are able to communicate effectively, then divorce mediation is right for you. If you are not looking to spend $25,000+ in fees each to each of your divorce lawyers, then divorce mediation is right for you. There are a ton of reasons we can go in to why couples choose mediation, but it ultimately will come down to your ability to communicate.

Every divorce is different, some can be very complex, more so when children are involved, but also when there are a variety of issues to discuss such as property division, child support, and even pets! A Fair Way Mediation is well-versed with over 30 years experience in helping couples navigate these issues to come to an affordable agreement.

A Fair Way Mediation will also help you with the paperwork that is needed to submit to the courts to officially dissolve the marriage. The paperwork alone can be very confusing and if not completed properly can get denied by the court system. Everything will be prepared including your agreements to submit and finalize.

If you are interested in discussing your situation and seeing if mediation is right for you, please fill out our "Start Evaluation" form, or give us a call!

760-227-5090

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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