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Same Sex Divorce Mediation

Contrary to belief that a same sex divorce will be far different than what's referred to as a "traditional divorce", same sex couples face the exact same issues in a divorce as anyone else. Also, many people also think same sex marriages are considered fairly new when actuality it has been around for awhile. We have been a part of the San Diego and Palm Springs LGBTQ communities and we are one of the first providers to help same sex couples part ways with each other if that's what they choose. A Fair Way Mediation cah help you come to an affordable and peaceful divorce to help you both move on with your lives.

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

619-985-2357

Many of the same complexities are in a same sex divorce:

Property Division
Child Visitation
High Assets
Pets
And much more!

Same Sex Divorce

If you choose divorce mediation as opposed to litigation, you not only choosing a peaceful path to a divorce, but you are also choosing the far less expensive path to divorce, its a win-win. Add on to the fact that it keeps you out of court and your affairs out of public record, is the reason that divorce mediation has become a very popular path for couples when facing a divorce.

Divorce Mediation can not only save you thousands of dollars in lawyer fees, but also will keep you both out of court. We’ve found more often than not, couples are able to discuss divorce matters in a peaceful manner, and can simply have a mediator sort out the details and avoid court altogether!

5 Star Google Review!

“I've had the pleasure of knowing Rich for over a year. He has been instrumental in resolving conflicts in my tumultuous divorce. I find him to be professional, knowledgeable, timely, fair, responsive, and a direct communicator—which I prefer. He gives it to you straight, for better or worse, and is solution-oriented. Rich constantly offers the tools needed to navigate difficult situations as they arise.

He is always available to answer any and all questions via email or phone. All of his actions have shown how much he genuinely cares about people and his dedication is unmatched. He was thorough when talking to my children and spoke to them for hours individually. I've consistently felt that he has their best interests at heart, which is a harder quality to find in a parent coordinator than one might think. He also offered to collaborate with other family therapists that were involved. Fortunately, we only needed Rich.” – Michael & Jeff, Palm Springs

At A Fair Way Mediation, we take sincere pride in helping others get to a point where they both can finally move on with their lives and prepare for the next chapter. When you have both come to a mutually beneficial agreement, the process for yourself after the divorce becomes much easier. Even if there are issues that the 2 individuals can't be around or see each other, we can help coordinate communication between the 2, there is no reason to live in anger or fear.

What hasn’t really changed are the issues which are basically the same in heterosexual and same sex marriages. Money, infidelity, health issues, “irreconcilable differences”— all play a part in the breakdown of a relationship.

Benefits Mediation Provides

There are a variety of reasons for couples to choose mediation over litigation, here are just a few of the primary benefits:

Affordable

Divorce can be expensive, even more so if you decide to go to the litigation route with each individual hiring their own attorney. In terms of costs, divorce mediation costs (on average) between $3500 - $7500 depending on the complexity of the case and the ability of the couple to communicate. Whereas litigation can easily exceed $25,000+ per person when each side hires their own attorney. It's not uncommon for litigated divorces to exceed $75,000 and more. Mediation is a fraction of the cost while ultimately reaching the same conclusion that a litigated divorce will have.

Confidential - No Court

People like their privacy, bottom line. This is why mediation is a great alternative to a traditional divorce because you DO NOT GO TO COURT. All proceedings are handled outside of the judicial system and remain private and confidential, even after submission to the courts. With a traditional divorce, each side will be required to appear in court in front of a judge and when this happens, all proceedings become public record, even the outcome. Mediation is a great way to keep your divorce private.

Time

With a litigated divorce where attorneys are involved, the divorce proceedings can take up to 8 months just to be seen in front of the judge for the first hearing. Mediation is a great solution because the duration of the divorce process depends on your availability along with your ability to communicate. You dictate how long the mediation process will take. The average time for a mediated divorce is anywhere between a few weeks to several months. You are not pressured to have meetings, but it will help facilitate the process to come to an agreeable solution if you are able to meet frequently. We can also provide phone conferences and virtual video meetings if needed.

Articles

SAME-SEX DIVORCES MADE EASY WITH MEDIATION

Divorce has always been a notorious process in legal and social circles for the emotionally and financially draining process that it is. No doubt, regardless of the kind of divorce one goes through, the nature and extent of the legalities involved can tire even the toughest. With same sex divorces, the problem worsens even more.

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 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