Child Support Mediation
Children are financially dependent on their parents, and (with a few exceptions) parents are required to support their children until they reach the age of 18. California has a complicated formula for child support, which may or may not meet the actual needs of the parents and the children.
In mediation, the parents decide for themselves the best way to meet their children’s needs, which might include such creative ideas as: a joint “children’s account” that can be accessed by both parents; dividing responsibility for certain expenses; sharing certain expenses in agreed proportions; and many others that would not be possible if the parties were in court. With the help of a mediator, parents can also resolve other issues that a court wouldn't address and which might otherwise be contentious later on, such as how to pay for college or vocational training, weddings, extracurricular activities, etc. And by staying out of court, the parties will have more money left to use for themselves and their children.
Studies have shown that when parents resolve child support issues out of court, on consent of both parties, there is greater compliance with the resulting agreement. This means that the parents don't have to worry about how their children's needs will, in fact, be met, or whether the other parent is holding up his/her end of the bargain. Money not spent in court trying to enforce agreements is more money available for the parents and the children.
Testimonials
Robin provided a very no nonsense approach to the sticky business of Divorce, for my ex-husband and Me. She understood that we got along well enough to discuss the custody of our three children---on OUR own terms. She navigated our differences regarding our Home so that we had a flexible and comfortable agreement for selling a home which we had built ourselves. She really heard our nuanced desires, and how we envisioned ourselves in the future.Charlotte
Articles
Gray Divorce
Many of the divorces I mediate are for couples in their 50's or 60's, known as "Gray Divorces". The emotional, financial, and social issues involved make these divorces particularly suited to the creativity and flexibility inherent in mediation, rather than the "one size fits all" approach of litigation.
ON-LINE MEDIATION NOW AVAILABLE
In these time of social distancing, I am offering on-line conflict resolution services using Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, and Google Hangouts. Call to schedule a free, no obligation consultation.
Divorce Now or Later? Timing Matters!
Changes in the U.S. tax law, effective January 1, 2019, may have significant impacts on the financial consequences of your separation or divorce.
Negotiate in Mediation for What You Need -- And Get It.
Face it: most of us are not very good at asking others for what we need. We tend to come off as either too aggressive or wishy-washy. Moreover, when we're in conflict, our asking skills tend to deteriorate into either demanding bitchiness or passive-aggressiveness that descends into resentment. Not a good look, on anyone.
But, there's a way to ask for what you need and to enlist others in giving it to you, by being respectfully assertive. It requires communicating clearly what your needs are, how others' behavior affects you, and enlists others in satisfying your needs.
Cohabitation Mediation - What I Wish I'd Known Before Moving in Together
Much less planning goes into cohabitation than into a wedding, but it is, in many ways, a bigger legal, financial and emotional step.