Child Support

You and your spouse are responsible for the support of your children. Once you are separated and later divorced, this responsibility continues.

In divorce mediation, you will try to negotiate how to support your children. California law will only be one consideration. You can also discuss other factors important to you. The goal is to reach an agreement that is acceptable to both.

As your mediator, I will try to help you develop options, inform you about California child support law, and assist you with the negotiations.

In family law court, the judge must follow a statewide uniform guideline. The court is required to consider each parent's income, his or her time spent with the child, his or her ability to pay child support, and other factors. Resulting decisions are thus guided by legal code and often unsatisfactory to one or both parties.  

Spousal Support

At times, one of the spouses will need financial support from the other after a marriage ends.

In divorce mediation, you will try to negotiate spousal support if it is an issue. You can decide the amount and duration of payments, and if and how this amount may be changed in the future.

As your mediator, I will provide information about California spousal support law and help you develop budgets and options so that you can make informed decisions and try to reach an agreement.

In family law court, a judge will make the decision whether you are entitled to spousal support or whether you are required to pay support. Some of the factors the judge will consider are the length of the marriage, the need for support of one party and the ability to pay of the other party. As with child support, resulting orders are often unsatisfactory to the parties.