Mediation

Statistically, 96% to 98% of couples will reach agreement on a division of property and debts with the help of a mediator, a financial professional or lawyers. The courts say division of community property and debt must be "just and right". Keep in mind that "just and right" does not necessarily mean "equal". As long as your name is on debt, house, cars, credit cards etc. you are legally responsible, in most casts even if the judge orders the other spouse to pay, if they don’t they will come after you.

Parents with a healthy Parental Relationship have the ability to help develop healthier children than those that litigate and continue to argue and use the children to hurt one another. (This is most selfish) You may no longer be husband and wife, but you will always be Mommy and Daddy.

Children want and need both parent actively involved in their lives. If you want to share in children’s sporting events, birthdays, graduations, weddings, and birth of grandchildren, then mediation is the best way to go. Parents who negotiate, compromise, and put their children’s interests before theirs have well-adjusted children with healthy relationships of their own.

Years from now you will know it was worth it to stop the fighting, demanding "your rights"’, withholding child-support, not meeting each other half-way in the decision making process.

Mediation Matters Because:

You control the outcome
You and your spouse are more likely to actually keep your agreements
You begin the healing process
You can feel proud about how your handled your divorce
You save time, money and emotional strain
It works

Child Support

Parents generally calculate more accurate child support in mediation based on the child’s needs, time spent with each parent, and parent’s ability to pay. State required child support can be determined through online calculations.

Benefits of Child Support Mediation:

Calculate child support that works for the Child and the Parents
Decide which parent will provide child’s Health Insurance
Decide the percentage each will pay for uncovered/uninsured expenses
Discover parent’s income, ability, and willingness to share in child’s support
Agree upon what child support covers and doesn’t cover avoiding future conflict
Some parents agree to neither one paying the other child support

CHILD CUSTODY & VISITATION:

We must focus on what is best for the children (academic, emotional, social, financial, and physical needs)
structure meaningful involvement for each parent in the children’s lives
Keep important decisions regarding your children in your hands not in a judge’s who may never meet your children
We must work together to develop a healthy parental relationship for your children's benefit

GETTING STARTED:

Things We Do:

Cares for immediate needs to avoid court fights
Simplifies the postnuptial
Teaches a new way to communicate
Strive for equitable resolve
Help Couples transition to a healthy parental relationship
Write a legally binding settlement agreement
Help you both plan for the future

Community Property Settlement:

Is there a prenuptial agreement, postnuptial agreement, or inheritance assets that are considered separate
Identify all assets, equities, and liabilities that are part of the community property of the marriage
Taking into account all liquid assets in checking, saving, safety deposit boxes, etc. and dividing them equally.
Collect all information regarding 401K, CD’s, IRA’s, Stocks/Bonds, Retirement Packages, etc. and seeing how they will factor in the exchanging and receiving of the desired community property of each
Consider vehicles and sporting equipment and who might retain what
Consider who might want the house, etc. and how the liabilities and assets might balance out considering the equities
Who will or can afford to stay in the house until it is sold or one might receive the house as part of the settlement by exchange of other assets
Of course the agreements to all of the above should always take into consideration what is in the best interest of the children