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Divorce Mediation Services

Our Mission

"For over 30 years we’ve committed ourselves to helping couples reach a peaceful and amicable divorce. Our goal is to make divorce a fair process so both parties are satisfied and content with the results."

  • Rich Gordon, Principal Mediator

Save Money

Our affordable and all-inclusive fees are 80-90% less than the average cost of litigation.

Reduce Stress

Our respectful approach reduces family stress and is better for your children’s health and well-being.

Save Time

Cases settled faster, taking 1-4 months on average compared to 9-18 months with divorce lawyers.

Why Choose A Fair Way

  • Clients Never Go To Court
  • Flexible Appointment Schedule
  • Fair Pricing
  • Case Settled On Your Time, Not the Courts

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Testimonial

What Our Clients Say

Discover the Voices of Satisfaction: Testimonials from A Fair Way Mediation Center's Valued Clients.

The service my family received was amazing. Rich made us understand the process from early on. He was always fair and reasonable to both parties. I was always able to contact him and get a prompt response from him. I was so satisfied with his services that I recommended him to some of my friends and they were delighted with the results.

Anya G.

Oceanside, CA

Rich was very easy to deal with through the process. My husband and I had possibly a unique situation. We consulted with Rich to dissolve our marriage but through the process decided we wanted to work out our marriage. Rich was patient and understanding as we requested to dissolve our dissolution and stay married. I would highly recommend working with them!

Kristi V.

Valley Center, CA

Excellent Service and committed to the details. Rich Gordan and his staff did a superb job in executing a smooth and amicable divorce through my military PCS. I highly recommend him, if you're looking for timely follow-up and impeccable details. Don't waste your time with imitators, they're the real deal. Thank you!

Josh M.

Valley Center, CA

My divorce was a difficult thing to go through. I cannot think or want to remember how difficult it was for me and my Ex. I really wanted to put it behind me and move on with my life. Rich made it so; He was considerate in all steps of the process.

Kiro W.

Palm Springs, CA

FAQs

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
A Fair Way Divorce Mediation

Affordable Divorce

The first thought that comes to mind when couples decide to have a divorce is that it will cost each person thousands and thousands of dollars from start to completion. While with litigation this is very much true, many couples have turned to divorce mediation as an affordable alternative to litigation saving people thousands of dollars, and ultimately coming to the same outcome as you'd get in court! For over 4 decades A Fair Way Mediation has become one of the premier mediation firms in Southern California helping couples  to finalize their divorce and allow them to move on with their lives.

We’ll Guide You To A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION FAST!.

A POSITIVE APPROACH

Divorce Experience

A Fair Way Mediation Center offers a relaxed, compassionate atmosphere in an informal setting that encourages a calm and objective approach. This is a safe space that avoids the stress and embarrassment that courtroom procedures can inject into any divorce or separation. All couples are welcome, including traditional or same sex families.

Our Principal Mediator is Richard Gordon, B.A., M.A. & J.D. An experienced Mediator, Mr. Gordon has worked in all facets of alternate dispute resolution (ADR), with both individuals and organizations. He brings a friendly approach that is conducive to cooperation.

2 Locations - San Diego and Palm Springs

San Diego

Coachella Valley

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Coachella Valley Office

121 Lake Shore Drive
Rancho Mirage, California
92270

San Diego Office

600 West Broadway,
7th Floor San Diego, California
92101

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