Divorce Mediation ~ Effective Alternative to Litigation

Divorce can be a life changing transition, which is complex, unfamiliar and stressful. At Sano & Associates, we are dedicated to providing you an opportunity to reach a mutually agreeable solution that is best for both of you and most importantly, for your children, without the adversarial process that impacts families and children.

Divorce Mediation offers an effective and confidential alternative to avoid the expense, time, stress and hostilities of court proceedings. An experienced Family Law Attorney will assist you as a neutral intermediary during a confidential settlement discussion. At Sano & Associates, we work closely with a team of highly and specially trained legal, psychological and financial professionals who can support you in evaluating your options, evaluating your goals and exploring ways of reaching agreements that create a win/win situation that can not be achieved in most litigated divorces.

Let us assist you in focusing on the transitioning family unit to achieve a settlement that best meets the specific needs of both of you and your children without the underlying threat of contested litigation.

Divorce Mediation Fees (For Self-Represented Parties): $4,500 per spouse, which includes the following:
 

• Initial three-way consultation (typically about 90 minutes) to asses the parties' agreements and disagreements.
• Preparation of all required judicial council forms (Petition, Response, and Request for Judgment, etc.) except for Schedule of Assets and Debts (form F-142) and Income and Expense Declaration (form FL-150). These two forms must be completed by the parties.
• Drafting of Marital Settlement Agreement and notary fees.
• One 90-minute  mediation session.
• Final signing session (typically about 90 minutes).

Each additional mediation session is up to 90 minutes and our fee is $300 per party, per session. Our experienced family law attorney will serve as a neutral mediator and help the parties resolve the conflict amicably and cost effectively.

Initial Consultation:  In-Person $300/60 minutes.

Initial consultations require an appointment.

For Divorce Mediation, both spouses must participate in the initial consultation. Should you decide to retain our mediation services within 30 days of your initial consultation, the consultation fee will be credited towards your mediation fees.

Execution of a retainer agreement is not required at the initial consultation, while our discussion remains strictly confidential.  

Our current family law practice is limited to assisting self-represented parties with document preparation and mediation.

Book your appointment for an initial consultation.

Document Preparation Services for Self-Represented Parties.

• Requires an initial consultation. (Zoom or In-person at our Carlsbad office: 60 minutes/$300).  Book an appointment for an initial consultation.

Required documents:

• Petition or Response for Request for Dissolution of Marriage: $1,200
• Schedule of Assets & Debts and Income & Expense Declaration: $1,800 (These two forms must be completed by the parties but we will assist you with the preparation.)
• Marital Settlement Agreement: $3,600
• Request for Judgment: $1,800
• All of the above (discounted): $7,200

Optional documents:

• Request for Order* and Supporting Declaration(s): $450/per hour, minimum $4,500
• Stipulation: $2,400

*A Request for Order is used to obtain (temporary) court orders during the divorce proceeding and after a judgment has been entered in a case. The most common temporary orders requested are child custody and visitation, child support, and spousal support. As in most family law matters, there are mandatory forms and procedures that must be followed, and the request or opposition must be accompanied by supporting declaration(s).