Menifee Divorce Mediator

For over 4 decades the team at A Fair Way Mediation has been helping couples throughout Menifee and surrounding areas with affordable divorce mediation services. As a trained divorce mediator, we understand how stressful divorce can be on you both which is why we work hard to provide an informal atmosphere to help you both navigate the issues on your own time. Many couples choose a divorce mediator to help them through the process because it is an affordable alternative to litigation and to avoid court which can bring its own set of stress to you both. We understand you both are ready to move on with your lives but also need to navigate the issues that come with a divorce such as property division, child support, retirement assets and much more. There is no cookie cutter approach to divorce mediation, A Fair Way Mediation will take the time to hear you both out and allow you to speak with the goal of coming to a fair and mutual agreement that can finalize the divorce on your own terms.

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

760-227-5090

Menifee Divorce Mediator Services

When couples decide to get a divorce, usually their first thought is for each person to go get their own divorce lawyer to start the process, which isn't the case. When couples learn about the alternative, divorce mediation, it can much more sense financially and emotionally to choose the mediation route. An experienced Menifee divorce mediator will act as a neutral 3rd party to help each of you navigate the process from start to finish. The best part about mediation is WE DO NOT TAKE SIDES. When it comes to using a divorce lawyer is when things can get contentious with communication being relayed back and forth between lawyers, which not only wastes time, but wastes money. At the end of the day, couples often find they would have reached the same agreement with mediation as opposed to using lawyers, which would have taken stress off you both and kept things fiscally responsible.

We have experience with everything from property division, asset division,child support, and evenpet mediation! All while providingaffordable Menifee divorce mediationservices. Our team works hard to be a Menifee divorce mediationresource you can trust! Over 4 decades in the industry, we have seen it all and helped 100s of couples peacefully get the divorce the need and allow each spouse to move on with their lives.

Why Divorce 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 and Time

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.

Privacy and Confidentiality

When couples choose to go the litigation route and have their case seen by a judge, it becomes public record. In general, couples want to remain private throughout their divorce, there is no reason to have personal issues, finances, and discussions available for others to see. Mediation is the private way to get a divorce because all discussions and sensiive matters are kept out of public exposure. For mediation cases, couples do not go to court, all matters are settled out of the judicial system and once the agreement has been made, the final court papers (marital settlement agreement), are submitted to the courts to be finalized, keeping your personal matters private.

Post-Divorce Cooperation

Because mediation is the cooperative approach to a divorce, it leads to improved post-divorce relationships, even more so for those who have children. Mediation allows couples to work together to find common ground and resolve their disputes which lays the foundation for a healthier co-parenting dynamic. With a peaceful approach to the divorce, couples are able to have an agreement without anger that will lead to a better future for both.

Cost Savings with Mediation

The difference in costs between a mediated divorce and a litigated dvorce is quite considerable. The average cost of a mediated divorce runs anywhere between $3,000 - $7500 (depending on the complexity of the case), and with a litigated divorce, attorney fees can be anywhere from $20,000+ for each person. The cost savings are remarkable and ultimately the same outcome will be obtained whether you go mediation or litigation, but you'll save thousands of dollars and and complete the divorce process in a calm environment together.

Avoid Court

When having to face the potential of going to court to plead your side of the case and leave the outcome in the hands of the court system, this can be very stressful. Couples choose mediation because they DON'T GO TO COURT! The entire process is settled out of court and once the agreement is finalized, the paperwork will be prepared for you to submit to the courts to complete the process on their end. When the divorce proceedings play out in court, this also becomes public record, which can be difficult to accept when personal finance discussions are happening or the inner workings of your marriage are played out in court. Tensions can get high in the courtroom setting. With mediation, the entire divorce proceedings and discussions are kept private and discrete.

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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