What Issues Can Divorce Mediation Solve?

By Gerald A. Maggio, Esq.

Divorce mediators in Orange County; California Divorce MediatorsDivorce Mediation is one of the most underrated methods of dispute resolution. California Divorce mediation services are underused by couples who are unaware of the potential of divorce mediation in Orange County. Most couples don’t know the benefits of divorce mediation, and end up going through messy divorces that hurt them financially as well as emotionally and psychologically.  Why is it a better way?  The answer to this question is plain and simple. All issues that a judge can solve can be solved by using divorce mediation services.  Divorce mediation means not going to court and therefore protecting the privacy of the couples. Here is a list of issues that divorce mediation can solve:

Division of Property

Property in divorce proceeding means real estate, vehicles, savings accounts, retirement accounts, investment accounts, furniture, etc.  A judge in this situation would probably order that the assets be divided into half, unless some kind of a prenuptial agreement is involved. Divorce mediation instead allows the couple to make trades on properties, meaning that they can decide which assets who should keep and what should be given to the other. While it sounds like a long and complicated process, it is made easy by experienced mediators.

Child Support

The State of California has set guidelines on child support. The guidelines outline how much of child support should be paid for each minor. Mediators help couples talk on a number of issues such as who will bear what parts of expenses, who will bear the education costs and the medical expenses, and help them decide on the child support number they can meet.

Division of Debts

Every household in one way or the other is somehow indebted to some bank or lender. This means that in every California divorce, debt discussion has to be done. Debts are usually ranging from loans, credit cards, and other debts that the couple has borrowed over time. There are several reasons for debts such as renovation and over expenditure, etc.  Divorce mediators can help devise a plan for debt repayment which is agreeable to both parties.

Custody of the Child

Child custody involves two aspects: legal custody and physical custody.  Legal custody means who gets to make the decisions concerning the health, education, and welfare of the children and their upbringing.  Physical custody basically means where the child is likely to spend his time in weekends and holidays.  Divorce mediators help you create a parenting plan that suits you. A parenting plan is a plan that contains all the details about the child’s time distribution in between the parents in weekends and holidays.

Spousal Support

Spousal Support is the title given to the money that is given by one spouse to the other to help her or him to maintain their lifestyle. These are decided on the standard of living that the couples enjoyed during their marriage. We identify the necessary lifestyle needs of the spouse and then help both the parties agree to a sum that they both feel is fair.

Divorce Mediation is one process that is detailed and all-encompassing, which means it allows the couples to end their marriage with a customized agreement that they both think is fair and just, and cost-effective.

To learn more about the divorce process in California and how mediation can help, please visit our page, “What is Divorce Mediation.”