transforming conflict into opportunities

Mediate For Peace

Divorce Mediation

Nhien provides comprehensive mediation services for separated or separating families. This includes issues such as:
Dissolution of marriage
Termination of domestic partnerships
Separation
Parenting and custody agreements, including interim agreements
Child and spousal support
Modifications of support and custody
Property Division
Pre-marital agreements
Co-habitation agreements
Nhien's divorce mediation services include the preparation and filing of all legal paperwork necessary to obtain a final judgment of dissolution of marriage, including a written Marital Settlement Agreement.

New! READ NOVEMBER 2007 PRESS RELEASE - Divorce Mediation: Myths & Facts, Internet Radio Talk Show, Audience grows more than 221% in first 10 months and receives endorsement by the Association of Attorney-Mediators

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Resources for Separated or Separating Families

Books for Children about Divorce

Books for Parents about Children & Divorce

Books about the Divorce and Divorce Mediation Processes

Interested in lower-cost options?

Nolo's Essential Guide to Divorce, by Attorney Emily Doskow, is a great handbook to a do-it-yourself divorce.

Or find out more about the Affordable Mediation Program (AMP) for qualified separated or separating families, sponsored by the Northern California Mediation Center.

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The most important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we might become. – Charles Du Bos

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In need of a therapist?
Or a good divorce support group?

Sevin Philips MFTI
offers excellent psychotherapy, couples therapy and divorce support groups in San Francisco.

Visit http://www.SFtherapy.org for more information.

Getting Divorced: Two Ways To Go About It

Mediation
Litigation
Rate
$350-$400/hour for mediation time (shared between parties)

Document preparation fees: $2000-$3400.

Average total: $2,600-$6,000

Pay as you go
Average rate for attorneys $350-$450/hr each

Average total: $22,000 per person

Large Retainer
Time Involved
Average time you will spend: 3-6 months (depends on needs of couple)
Average time you will spend: 2 years (depends on court schedule)
Tone of process
Business-like but informal
Formal, adversarial
Role of the law
Legal information provided by mediator, but no legal advice given
Legal information and legal advice given by counsel
Impact on children
Children’s interests are central to decision making; interim agreements possible
Children often become “pawns” in the battle between spouses
Voluntary compliance with child support agreements
Nationwide figures around 80%
Nationwide figures around 40%
Emotional cost to parties
Allows for healthy airing of diverse views and emotions

More comfortable, cooperative
Increases anxiety and stress

Little opportunity to address concerns

Stressful, adversarial
Impact on communication
Promotes improved communication.

Sets stage for joint decision making.

Encourages personal responsibility
Discourages communication.

Sets stage for future disagreements and possible court appearances
Decision Making
Clients make their own decisions
3rd parties (judges and attorneys) make decisions
Confidentiality
Discussions and financial information are confidential

Usually no court appearances
Hearings are open to the public

Financial information is part of the public record

Several court appearances

Top Divorce Sites

Interested in Collaborative Divorce? CLICK HERE to find out more about yet another alternative to litigation, offered by the Northern California Mediation Center.