Why Divorce Mediation

for Couples in San Diego and Southern California

Divorce is a difficult and worrisome time for all parties involved.  Couples want to protect their children, and each spouse wants to protect his or her own rights and assets.  When a couple is fighting, it might seem easy to enter the adversarial court process.  However, there are creative ways to divide property and share child custody if both parents can focus on working together and always keeping the children's best interests in mind.  Although a marriage may be ending, the spouses' job together as parents will continue forever.  In the adversarial process, the children usually get caught in the middle and suffer the most severe consequences.  It is important that a divorcing husband and wife put aside their differences and focus on the children.  Focusing on the wrongs and blaming the other party is not productive. 

In traditional divorce litigation, each spouse typically has his or own attorney.  The lawyers often pit one spouse against another to win, and they engage in unnecessary actions that only serve to escalate the tension between the couple and increase the lawyers' bills.  In mediation, the spouses come together in an environment where reaching a peaceful and fair solution where both parties win is the paramount goal.  

Mediation is Less Expensive and Faster than Family Court

In California, the average cost of a divorce when both sides have their own attorneys is $40,000.  However, in most cases, each spouse knows what assets the other spouse has and they are being honest with each other.  This means that it is often unnecessary for lawyers to subpoena the other party or take depositions regarding their assets.  These actions needlessly add thousands of dollars to legal bills. 

Ms. Rachman charges $2,500 for eight hours of divorce mediation services, and most divorces can be settled in this amount of time.  Therefore, for a fraction of what it costs to hire a lawyer, a couple can amicably divorce and come away with a better relationship and a fairer divorce settlement. 

Divorce mediation is also significantly faster than the traditional court process.  It is usually completed in one or two meetings.  Divorce litigation can take many months, and often longer, depending on the complexity of a particular situation. 

Ex-Spouses are More Likely to Follow Mediation Settlements

Another benefit of divorce mediation is that both parties are more likely to follow the divorce settlement when they have agreed on the terms. Ex-spouses commonly stop paying support or violate custody agreements.  However, when the parties have come together and amicably agreed upon support and custody arrangements that they perceive are fair and appropriate, each side is much more likely to comply in the future. 

Seek an Experienced Divorce Mediator

Ms. Rachman has successfully mediated over 250 divorces and has a 100% success rate.  Divorce mediation is the best solution for most couples.  To find out if it is appropriate for you, contact Fair Divorce in a Day Mediation today for a free initial consultation.