Mediated Divorce
C4 Legal Assistance is Santa Maria’s best resource for divorce mediation.
When you know it is over and you just don’t want to fight anymore, divorce through a mediated settlement is your solution. Lower cost, fewer arguments and NO lawyers. Come and talk to us, consultation is free.
What is Mediated Divorce?
Mediation is a facilitated, constructive negotiation process for resolving differences and conflicts between individuals, groups, and organizations. It is an alternative to avoidance, destructive confrontation, prolonged litigation or violence. It gives people in conflict an opportunity to take responsibility for the resolution of their dispute and control of the outcome.
In mediation, the decision-making authority rests with the parties themselves. Recognizing variations in styles and cultural differences, the role of the mediator(s) involves assisting the disputants in defining and clarifying issues, reducing obstacles to communication, exploring possible solutions, and reaching a mutually satisfactory agreement. Mediation presents the opportunity to constructively express differences and to “hear each other out” even when an agreement is not reached.
Divorce mediation is about you and your soon to be ex-spouse deciding your own divorce and what is best for the both of you and most importantly, your children. In mediation, you and your spouse meet with a neutral third party, the mediator, and with their help, you work through the issues you need to resolve so the two of you can end your marriage as amicably and cost effective as possible. The issues covered include but at not limited to the following:
- Distribution of Property (Assets/Liabilities)
- Child Custody and Parenting Time
- Child Support/Maintenance
- Retirement
- Taxes
California Divorce Options
In California, you have several options for ending your marriage. If you have been married less than 5 years, have no minor children together, own no real estate and have few other assets and debts, you may qualify for a simplified divorce process called a “summary dissolution.” Your divorce can be final in as little as six months and may not require appearing before a judge.
If your marriage doesn’t qualify for summary dissolution, you can go through the standard divorce process which begins with filing a petition for divorce. During this process, you and your spouse work to reach agreement on the terms of your divorce, which will be legalized in a Marital Settlement Agreement. This is where mediated divorce comes in as a low-cost, lower-stress divorce option. Because, if you do not reach agreement, your case will go to trial on any unresolved issues, which is costly in terms of money, time and emotional resources.
C4 Legal Assistance
We know this is a difficult time for you, your spouse and your family. We can help you negotiate the challenging decisions that come from deciding to divorce. We work with couples remotely or in person and will be with you through the whole mediation process. Give us a call and we can explain your options. Consultations are free.
