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Irvine Divorce Mediation Services

For over 4 decades A Fair Way Mediation has been helping couples throughout Irvine and the entire Southern California region to navigate the divorce process and obtain a peaceful and affordable divorce. Many couples are turning to divorce mediation services as opposed to the litigation route for a variety of reasons including cost, stress, time, avoiding court, and more. Litigation can add on to the stress in a divorce with each person hiring their own lawyer, with mediation WE DO NOT TAKE SIDES. We act as a neutral 3rd party to discuss the issues (no matter how complex), including child support, retirement assets, property division, and more. The goal of mediation is to create a peaceful process that will ultimately allow you both to move on with your lives.

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

619-702-9174

The Benefits of Divorce Mediation


There are a variety of benefits for choosing divorce mediation as opposed to litigation:

Cost


One of the big things outside of stress, is couples wonder how much is this going to cost? That alone can bring on an extra layer of stress and worry. Broken down quickly, the average cost of a divorce mediation services ranges between $3500 - $7000 (depending on the complexity of the case). With divorce litigation, the costs can easily exceed $25,000+ per person.

Avoid Court


The last thing anyone wants is to have to go to court and allow a judge to make a decision that will affect the outcome of our lives. Along with this, when you go to court the proceedings become public record and we all value our privacy. With mediation, the entire process is settled outside of court, once you both come to an agreement you will submit the paperwork to the courts to be finalized, and all discussions and outcomes remain private.

Time


No one wants the proceedings to drag out for months on end, sometimes even years. The average mediated divorce tends to be around 3-5 months, and can be even quicker if the couple is able to communicate efficiently. With litigation, it can take up to 7+ months just to see the judge for the first time. Depending on the lawyers, this process can drag on for over a year.

Simply put, mediation not only saves you money and time, but minimizes the stress and provides a comfortable setting for you and your spouse to discuss the issues at hand!

Divorce Mediation Issues We Help Navigate

Child Support
Property Division
Retirement Distribution
Spousal Support
And even Pet Mediation!

Divorce Mediation Articles


ARBITRATION VS MEDIATION PROS AND CONS

Excerpt: In both arbitration and mediation, a neutral third party is used with the goal to negotiate a settlement without a lengthy court proceeding. Simply put, in arbitration the arbitrator (or arbitrators) hears your evidence and makes a decision for you. In mediation, the parties in the divorce first meet together informally with a mediator to share their reasons for divorce. The mediator does not make a decision for you, but helps to facilitate a peaceful and fair discussion to lead to a resolution acceptable to both parties.

SOCIAL MEDIA’S IMPACT ON DIVORCE

Excerpt: If you think your spouse might be spending too much time on social media for whatever reason and you’d like to have some help sorting things out, or feel you are ready to divorce, our expert mediators at A Fair Way Mediation can help. We have experience in this area. Our mediator will lead you carefully through the issues surrounding your decision to divorce, help you focus on the future and what is best for the family, and help you move forward to divorce or not

HOW TO DIVIDE UP ASSETS IN A DIVORCE

Excerpt:  Spouses have to complete an income and expense form, where they will list all sources of income, including bonuses, overtime, and benefits, as well as list all possessions and debts and categorize them either as separate or community property. Most items have a measurable value and should be factored into a spousal support negotiation and calculation. Inheritances or gifts received by a spouse during the divorce is usually not included in community property, unless the inheritance was used to acquire community property assets.

 

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

2 Locations - San Diego and Palm Springs

San Diego

Coachella Valley