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Temecula Divorce Mediator

The best part about using a mediator is that WE DON'T TAKE SIDES. Unlike divorce lawyers where each individual who has their own lawyer who is fighting hard for their clients own best interests, mediation provides a fantastic alternative that provides the opportunity for you both to work with the same person to provide a better communication process. This also creates a peaceful environment which allows you both to be heard and lay out what you need and desire to finalize the divorce in a mutually beneficial process. A Fair Way Divorce Mediator has helped 100s of couples throughout Temecula and surrounding areas with their divorce process and removing stress from the situation. The best part is (outside of cost savings), you DO NOT GO TO COURT.

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

619-702-9174

What Does a Divorce Mediator Do?

It's unfortunate that the common misconception that when you start a divorce, each of you needs to get a lawyer to start preparing for court. But there is an amazing alternative, divorce mediation. As mentioned above, a divorce mediator acts as a experienced neutral 3rd party to help you and your spouse navigate the myriad of issues that come with a divorce. We have experience with everything from property division, asset division, child support, and even pet mediation! All while providing affordable Temecula divorce mediation services.

A trained Temecula divorce mediator will provide a calming atmosphere, providing the best opportunity to keep the communication civil. To reiterate, a properly trained mediator does not take sides but allows each spouse to lay out their needs and wants to have a focal point as to which the negotiations can be discussed. Unlike divorce lawyers, where you each have your own lawyer and communication runs strictly through them, can cause the entire process to drag on for months (if not years) on end. We understand you both are ready to move on but at the same time, want an agreement that's beneficial to both parties, and we work hard to help you both get to the bottom of things so you can proceed with your lives. Our team works hard to he a Temecula divorce mediation resource you can trust!

Benefits of Using a 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.

Cost of the Divorce

Divorce mediation is a fraction of the price of a traditional litigation lawyer. Divorce mediation, on average, costs around $3000 - $7000 depending on the complexity of the case and the ability of the couple to negotiate things in a peaceful manner. Whereas a traditional divorce lawyer can easily exceed $25,000+ (for each of you). Ultimately you will come to the same results just at a much cheaper price. On top of this, it can take 6 months or more to finalize a dvorce which will keep costing you money in hourly billings with a lawyer. With mediation, the divore typically is finalized in 3-5 weeks, allowing you both the ability to move on with your lives.

Avoid Court

No matter how you look at it, divorce can be a stressful process. The last thing you and your spouse want to do is battle it out in court and leave your fate to the hands of the court system. Everything in the courts is "black and white" whereas you both understand there is a lot of grey area in your marriage that needs to be worked out peacefully and the court system may not fully understand the intricacies of your marriage. On top of this, when you go to court the proceedings become public record. Divorce mediation allows for a private alternative where all you have to do is submit the final marital settlement agreement (MSA) to the courts and your information, proceedings, and discussions will remain private.

Reduced Conflict and Tension

Divorce mediation serves as an effective alternative to litigation by significantly reducing conflict and tension between separating couples. This approach promotes an environment where both parties engage in open communication facilitated by a neutral mediator. By providing a platform for constructive dialogue, mediation allows spouses to voice their concerns, negotiate terms, and arrive at mutually beneficial agreements regarding important aspects like asset division, child custody, and support. Unlike the adversarial nature of court proceedings, mediation prioritizes collaboration and compromise, which often leads to better resolutions.

Mediation Education Corner

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST DIVORCE MEDIATOR

Divorce can often be an all-out battle where each partner ends up spending huge amounts of money on legal fees and time and stress in the court system. That’s why more people should consider divorce mediation. It’s the perfect option for couples who are looking to get divorced but don’t want all the stress and expense of a battle. Not sure how to choose the best divorce mediator? Mediation services should come from someone who has a proven track record of experience and an ability to show compassion. Divorce, after all, isn’t an easy process, and you’ll need someone who can be sympathetic to the emotions and concerns of both sides.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A DIVORCE MEDIATOR?

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 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.

BEYOND COURTROOM DRAMA: WHY DIVORCE MEDIATION WORKS

Divorce is a challenging, emotionally taxing process that often conjures images of contentious courtroom battles, escalating tensions, and prolonged legal procedures. However, there exists an alternative approach that has gained traction and proven to be highly effective: divorce mediation. While courtroom drama might be the default depiction in media and popular culture, divorce mediation offers a more peaceful and less adversarial path toward dissolution. Let's take a look as to why divorce mediation stands out as a preferred method and how it differs from the traditional courtroom process.

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