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San Marcos Divorce Mediator

Having helped couples for over 4 decades with divorce mediation services, we fully understand the stress that can come with a divorce and the overall process. Bottom line, it can be mentally and physically draining. If you and your spouse decide to take the litigation route, the stress can increase greatly not only because of the costs that come along with it, but ultimately you will end up in court in front of a judge who will decide what your future holds. Many couples throughout San Marcos have turned to qualified divore mediator to help them navigate through the divorce process at an affordable cost as well as avoid having to go to court. You will be able to decide your own future in a civil manner by working through the various issues of your marriage that need to be discussed. As a neutral 3rd party, the divorce mediator will help you get through everything as needed until a fair and mutual agreement has been obtained. Remember, WE DO NOT TAKE SIDES.

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

619-985-2357

What Does a Divorce Mediator Do?


When it comes to getting a divorce, the natural assumption is that you each have to get your own lawyer and start the litigation process that will inevitably end up in court for a final decision. While many people believe this is the case, it's not so. 100s of couples have turned to a divorce mediator that will act as a neutral 3rd party, allowing you both to be heard and keeping the process peaceful in an informal environment. The divorce proceedings are on your time, not the courts. We have experience with everything from property division, asset division,child support, and evenpet mediation! All while providingaffordable San Marcos divorce mediationservices.A

A trained San Marcos divorce mediator will keep tensions calm, even in some of the most contentious divorces, there is a solution to get the process complete. In a majority of cases from our experience, couples are able to put differences aside with the common agreement that the marriage is over and it's time to part ways. If you each get your own lawyer, not only will the costs shoot up, expect around $20,000+ per person for lawyer fees, but all communication will go through the lawyer channels and often can break down at a moments notice (which are still billable hours). Mediation offers you a cost-effective solution with the average cost of a mediated divorce being around $3000 - $7000 (together).

Benefits of Using a San Marcos Divorce Mediator


As many couples who have used mediation can attest, there are a wide variety of benefits to going the mediation route as opposed to litigation.

Divorce Costs

As the overall costs between a litigated divorce vs a mediated divorce are outlined above (these are on average), with a divorce mediator the overall fees are a fraction of what it would cost for you both to get lawyers. Ultimately, couples choose using a divorce mediator not only because they will save money, but because they have learned that in most cases the same exact results will be achieved as they would if you end up in court. Of course situations vary.

Don't Go to Court

When your divorce proceedings are played out in the judicial system, you have to realize these become public record. So if assets are going to be discussed or internal private family matters need to be discussed, they will be known. With a trained San Marcos divorce mediator, the marriage proceedings will be 100% private and discrete.

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

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

Mediation Articles


A NEW BEGINNING: THE BENEFITS OF DIVORCE MEDIATION

Divorce is an emotionally challenging chapter in many people's lives, that often comes with tension, disagreements, and uncertainty about the future. While the process can be adversarial and draining, there's an alternative that offers a more peaceful and constructive approach to resolving differences: divorce mediation. This method is gaining popularity due to its numerous benefits for couples navigating the complexities of separation.

COLLABORATE OR MEDIATE.. THAT IS THE QUESTION!

Most people who want a divorce would like it to be easy and affordable. Couples, especially those with children, want a divorce that is acceptable to them, their children, and their family members as well. Litigation can drag on and on and is expensive. When there is children involved, couples most likely put their children’s needs first and choose the type of divorce that leads to a reasonable and acceptable resolution without any time-wasting theatrics. Collaborative or Mediation divorce are often successful for families that want a straightforward and kind divorce that keeps a couple, with or without children, on good terms.

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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