Services

Mediation is a non-adversarial approach used by family law attorneys and others. In this process you avoid going to court altogether. It’s a chance for you and your spouse to dissolve your marriage with respect and dignity and also resolve child custody and child support matters. Because mediation promotes a process of shared engagement guided by a neutral third party, this process can help you and your soon-to-be-ex spouse resolve issues to a win-win conclusion with less time and heartache.

Mediation occurs around a table and in a safe structured environment where you and your spouse can discuss in real time your legal challenges. Divorce mediators remain neutral and do not advocate for or legally represent either you or your spouse. When you and your spouse reach agreement, the divorce mediator can prepare and file the legal documents and file those with the appropriate county court.

Mediation is private. Because the divorce mediation process is private, you and your spouse retain control of your own process and do not cede you autonomy to a court system or a judge.

Mediation can be faster, cheaper and less emotionally stressful. Because you and your spouse remain in control, the process can move as quickly and as expeditiously as you and your spouse desire. In this process there is no need for unnecessary motions, court appearances, or other traditional trappings that tend to provide obstacles such as time delays.

Hourly Fee for Divorce Mediation: $350

Initial Consultation: Free 15 minute phone consultation

Phone:
925-932-7026 (office)
925-933-6784 (alternate)

Email: mmcinaney@aol.com

Collaborative Practice is a client-centered, non-adversarial process that helps you and your spouse sit down in real time — and in a structured process — to work out the challenges of dissolving your marriage. The beauty of this process is that you and your spouse are well supported to share information and get the clear information you both need to make the best possible decisions. Because the paradigm is a hands-on, real time collaboration, you and your spouse get the support you need to stay out of court and retain control of your own divorce. And let’s face facts, no judge or lawyer knows better than you what is best for your family.

Collaborative Practice uses a team of people who gather in a series of structured meetings to assist with every aspect of your divorce. Because everyone is motivated to help you and your spouse have the best information possible to make decisions that are best for you and your family, the process moves forward with the goodwill and honesty necessary to facilitate win-win outcomes.

Collaborative Practice relies on each participant (including you and your spouse and the additional team members) to engage with honesty, respect, dignity and integrity toward a win-win solution.

Team Members

Collaborative Attorneys

You and your spouse each have your own attorney who guides and supports you through the collaborative process. The goal is to find workable solutions that are in the best interests of you and your spouse. If there is an impasse, we all work together to find a solution that meets both your needs.

Coaches

Each party has a trained mental health professional — a divorce coach — who provides support and encouragement and helps you and your spouse communicate in a healing, productive way.

Child Professional

The process can also include professional whose role is to advocate for the best interests of speak your children. These coaches help you and your spouse create practical, workable plans for parenting and help you and your spouse build a bridge to the co-parenting role you will fulfill for the rest of your lives.

Financial Professional

A licensed financial professional who gathers and analyzes the parties' financial data — and helps to clearly lay out various scenarios — is very important to the success of this process. After 25 years of helping couples dissolve their marriages, one thing is clear. All divorces are about money.  With the help of a qualified financial professional, you and your spouse will have the very clear information you need to make the best decisions possible for you and your family. Financial professionals can help in making decisions regarding income, debt allocation, property division and any other financial issue that arises.

Hourly Fee for Collaborative Divorce: $350

Initial Consultation: Free 15 minute phone consultation

Phone:
925-932-7026 (office)
925-933-6784 (alternate)

Email: mmcinaney@aol.com