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Riverside Divorce Mediation

Finding a Riverside divorce mediation firm you can trust is difficult. At A Fair Way Mediation, we have been helping couples navigate the divorce process and get an affordable and peaceful divorce for over 4 decades! When it comes to finding a qualified divorce mediator, experience DOES matter. We have helped couples peacefully get a divorce no matter how complex their situation may be. Unlike many mediators that have a cookie cutter approach to the process, we understand that there are numerous ins and outs of you and your spouses marriage that need to be worked out before finalizing the marital settlement agreement and submitting to the courts. Each of you will be given the opportunity to discuss your needs, wants and expectations so everything can be worked through properly. A Fair Way will work hard to take the stress out of the situation and keep things civil.

We offer a free consultation, fill out our "Start Evaluation" form or give us a call to discuss your needs!

619-702-9174

Divorce Mediation Services


As one of Riversides's top divorce mediation providers, we first and foremost, understand how difficult and stressful the divorce process can be. You may be just starting out and not sure where to begin, or you've heard terrible horror stories about divorce costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, this is why couples have trusted us to help them get through the entire divorce process without having to battle it out in court. A divorce doesn't need to be a public event, which is why divorce mediation allows you both to hash things out in a peaceful and discrete manner. We have 1 goal to be the best Riverside divorce mediation provider in the area!

Divorce Mediation Issues We Help Navigate

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

For mediation to work, each of you needs to be in mutual agreement to use a divorce mediator for the process. Mediators are neutral negotiators who do not take sides, so its important that you both understand that the mediator is here to help you both work things out and not create any particular lean towards one or the other. An informal environment will be provided for you both to discuss the key issues in a civil manner.

When couples choose to go the litigation route they quickly realize how expensive it will be and how long the process can take. It's not uncommon for a divorce litigation to take over 8 months to begin and negotiations can start to add up in the thousands with costs. This is why couples choose divorce mediation.

Divorce Mediation Key Articles


WHAT SHOULD COUPLES EXPECT FROM DIVORCE MEDIATION

Excerpt:  When you have both reached the decision to part ways and get a divorce, it can be one of the most significant portions of a person’s entire life. So many factors to consider such as “property division”, “child custody”, and even “pet custody!” There are so many potentially complex issues it can get very overwhelming.

There are always terrible stories about divorce and we are aware they can get very contentious and room for conflict, but divorce mediation does a terrific job of creating a calm situation where communication can bring both parties together.

IN A CALIFORNIA DIVORCE, WHAT ISSUES CAN DIVORCE MEDIATION COVER?

Excerpt: Quite often, couples in California are unaware of the divorce mediation route compared to a traditional divorce litigation route in California. But they are often surprised to hear that divorce mediation can help you with all issues of a divorce at a fraction of the price for a traditional divorce.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A DIVORCE MEDIATOR?

Excerpt:  If you and your spouse are looking for a less adversarial way to finalize your divorce, then using a divorce mediator might be the right path for you and your spouse.  In essence, a Palm Springs divorce mediator is a neutral 3rd party who is trained to help you and your spouse through the divorce process without having to enter the court process and have a judge decide on the final outcome.  The goal is to keep you out of court in a peaceful setting to resolve all issues and help you both move on with your lives.

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

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 free consultation, fill out our Start Evaluation form or give us a call to discuss your needs!

619-702-9174

We also servce all areas of Riverside County including Moreno Valley divorce mediation and Corona divorce mediation and Hemet Divorce mediation

2 Locations - San Diego and Palm Springs

San Diego

Coachella Valley