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A Fair Way
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Indian Wells Divorce Mediator

If you are looking for an experienced Indian Wells divorce mediator, A Fair Way Mediation has been helping couples in the Indian Wells and surrounding areas for over 4 decades with affordable and peaceful divorce services! We take pride in helping our community out especially understanding how devastating and difficult a divorce can be on both individuals. We don't want you battling things out with divorce lawyers or in front of a court when our qualified divorce mediator can help you finalize things out of court, and without the stress!

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

619-702-9174

Over 4 Decades of Divorce Mediation Experience


When it comes to choosing the right mediator to help you navigate the complex issues that come with a divorce, experience does matter! We have helped 100s of couples throughout Indian Wells, Coachella and San Diego to finalize their divorce without the stress and financial strain that occurs with litigation.

You need a divorce mediator that has experience dealing with ALL situations, whether its property division, child support, or even pet mediation, A Fair Way Mediation has seen it and successfully navigated a variety of issues to come to a peaceful resolution.

We Don't Take Sides!


Unlike litigation where you both get your own lawyers and the "win at all costs" mentality begins, an experienced divorce mediator works for BOTH individuals to ensure a fair and balanced process from beginning to end. We want both individuals to have the opportunity to discuss their needs and hopes in the process, this allows for open communication with the issues out on the table, which then allows for us to work on each issue independently until everything is agreed and resolved.

This also takes out any fear that you are being manipulated or tricked by the other side. We do not provide legal advice to either party but can discuss how the courts would view your case to both of you which in turn would help you make a better decision. We don't want a judge deciding your future based on "evidence". There are years of memories that have been created and while the marriage is ending, you both still want to be able to move on with your lives in a peaceful and amicable manner.

Divorce Mediator: Costs


As we are sure you are aware, costs will always be involved when the divorce process has begun. To provide an overview, should you choose to both get your own lawyers and go the litigation route, costs can easily exceed $25,000+ each, and depending on the complexity and ability of your lawyers, can far exceed that.

With a qualified divorce mediator, the average cost of a mediated divorce is anywhere between $3,500 - $7,000.Note: This can go higher depending on the ability of the couple to communicate and also depends on how complex your divorce will be. This cost is shared between the couple and is still a fraction of the cost of a litigated divorce, this is why many couples seek a skilled divorce mediator in Indian Wells to help.

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.

BEYOND COURTROOM DRAMA: WHY DIVORCE MEDIATION WORKS

Divorce is a challenging, emotionally taxing process that often conjures images of contentious courtroom battles, escalating tensions, and prolonged legal procedures. However, there exists an alternative approach that has gained traction and proven to be highly effective: divorce mediation. While courtroom drama might be the default depiction in media and popular culture, divorce mediation offers a more peaceful and less adversarial path toward dissolution. Let's take a look as to why divorce mediation stands out as a preferred method and how it differs from the traditional courtroom process.

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

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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