Divorce Mediation
Advantages of Divorce Mediation
Divorce doesn’t always have to be a battle.
When couples wish to end a marriage peacefully, cost-effectively and outside of the courtroom, mediation is an excellent choice.
Divorce Mediation allows you to:
- Have greater control over the outcome of your divorce.
- Avoid the high cost of litigation.
- Minimize your stress during the process.
- Make the transition easier on your children.
Even for those couples with a high level of conflict, mediation can transform your divorce experience from warfare to cooperative problem solving.
How Does Mediation Work?
The divorce mediation lawyer serves as a neutral third party who facilitates direct negotiations between spouses. The mediator provides legal, psychological, and practical education on the issues to be resolved, and assists the parties in identifying all possible alternative solutions. When an agreement is reached, the divorce mediator typically drafts a written settlement agreement that clearly address all of the issues which need to be resolved. Finally, if the parties do not have their own independent attorneys, the divorce mediator will prepare the judicial council forms necessary to ensure that the agreement is properly implemented by the courts.
The mediation attorney can also assist in arranging for other professional services that may be needed in reaching an agreement. Do you own real estate or a business? If so, the mediation attorney may suggest involving a finanical advisor to assist with determining values of the assets you will be separating.
Divorce is an emotional time. Sometimes anger and resentment can cause negotiations to fall apart. To help avoid that, the mediation lawyer may suggest involving a Divorce Coach who can help the parties stay focused on their goal and keep the process moving forward.
What Does Mediation Cost?
Divorce Mediation is billed on an hourly basis for the time in session plus filing and document preparation fees. Fees paid to additional professionals such as a financial advisor and/or divorce coach are additional. The total cost of Divorce Mediation may range from $2,500 – $7,500, while the cost of litigation (which each party hires an attorney to negotiate a settlement or have a judge decide in court) can range from $20,000 to over $100,000.
What Areas Do You Serve?
We offer Divorce Mediation services in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo and Ventura areas.
How Does Mediation Work When There Are Minor Children?
Divorce Mediation can help you focus on your highest priority – the needs of your children. With the guidance of a Divorce Coach during mediation, the you can gain tools for co-parenting that will benefit your children and make the transition easier for them.
Am I Suited For Divorce Mediation?
Mediation does not require both parties to be good negotiators nor does it require both parties to be strong. One of Matthew Long’s roles as the divorce mediator is to help you to be a good negotiator and to help you to be strong. Mediation does require that both parties be willing to take the time, energy, and resources necessary to reach an agreement.
Mediation works best when each party takes advantage of professional legal advice from a qualified family law attorney prior to entering into any final agreement. It should not be utilized with the assistance of attorneys if one of the parties is impaired by a mental or emotional illness or drug addiction.
If you or your spouse is unwilling to engage in mediation out of fear – fear of looking foolish or uneducated compared to your spouse, fear of being unable to tolerate the emotional turmoil of negotiation, or simple fear of making a mistake – an alternative way of ending your marriage outside of the courtroom is collaborative practice.