How to Heal Your Relationships After COVID19
The smoke is clearing, hope is on the horizon, COVID cases are dropping, and the thought of returning to a […]
How Do I Discuss Premarital Mediation with My Fiancé?
By Amanda Singer Getting engaged and then married is usually one of the happiest times in a couple’s life. While […]
Clearing the Clutter
By Jennifer M. Segura I think it is important for the public to know the difference between litigating or mediating […]
How to Manage In-Laws Post Divorce
By Amanda Singer When I got married, I found that one of the strangest transitions wasn’t to being newlyweds or […]
The Importance of Clear Boundaries
By Rachel Vanni Our country has been through the wringer the last year. Self-care has been almost impossible for most […]
A First-Hand Experience with My Premarital Agreement
One of the questions I used to get asked most often by my clients was whether I was married, and […]
Marriage and Finances: What Should You Talk About Before Getting Married
In “Money, Money, Money” ABBA sing, “I work all night, I work all day. To pay the bills I have […]
Should I Work On Our Marriage Or Divorce?
The decision to get a divorce isn’t an easy one. It isn’t even a choice sometimes for one party. While […]
The Undoing: The Series That Taught a Lesson Many Will Not Forget! (I Hope)
By Jen Segura **There are spoilers here – don’t read until you have watched the series** My last movie critique […]
How to Prepare for the Holidays
By Amanda Singer As I write this, I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is already over and we’re already in December. […]
Embracing New Traditions After a Divorce
The holidays are a time of tradition. Some of us put up decorations, some cook a special family dish and […]
Until Death Do We Part: How Religion Can Influence How You Approach Divorce
By David Dowling It was easier to remain married until death when people died at 50. Thanks to healthier lifestyles, […]
How To Tell Your Spouse You Want a Divorce
Guest Post By Syeda Neary Making the decision to end your marriage is probably one of the most difficult decisions […]
Filing for Divorce in San Diego – What’s the Best Time?
By Amanda Singer Figuring out the best time for filing for divorce in San Diego can be very subjective as […]
Can We “Pause” Our Divorce?
By Jennifer Segura Often we have couples who start the divorce process, and then they have to “pause” for one […]
What to Do If You and Your Spouse Have Different Political Views
It is no secret that opposites can attract. However, politics has become more and more divided as we inch closer […]
How To Handle Credit Card Debt During A Divorce
Guest Post: Andy Masaki According to a report by the American Psychological Association (APA), around 40% to 50% of marriages in […]
What Does Sanding Furniture Have To Do With Divorce?
By Jen Segura I consider myself to be a fairly crafty person. I am always refinishing items of furniture. When […]
What Does the Best Interest of the Child Mean?
By Amanda Singer When you’re going through a divorce and have a child in California (or if you’re never been […]
Can an Online Spousal Support Calculator Be Accurate?
If you are getting a divorce and spousal support is a concern, odds are you have searched around for an […]
Virtual School & Co-Parenting: As If It Weren’t Difficult Enough
Most kids have begun their new school year, with the vast majority starting virtually or homeschool. For most parents, this […]
Starting Mediation With Us: What to Expect
We know the divorce process can be very overwhelming and we want to provide as much information as we can […]
How Do We Tell our Friends We’re Getting a Divorce?
By Amanda Singer Most often the question I hear from my clients is how do we tell our kids we’re […]
Can You Get a Divorce Online?
Due to COVID19, you may see a lot of advertisements that boast online divorce services. They may be a bit […]
Cheating Online and Divorce
By Amanda Singer Most of the time, when people think about cheating, they think about someone having a physical affair, […]
Being a Bonus Parent
By Amanda Singer For those people that marry someone who already has kids, they have usually been referred to as […]
What If My Spouse Refuses to Sign Divorce Papers?
Divorce is a stressful event in any person’s life, even if it’s amicable and easily resolved. A spouse who refuses […]
How Do I Co-Parent While Homeschooling?
There is no doubt, COVID19 has turned our world upside-down. As if co-parenting wasn’t difficult enough on its own, now […]
Be Patient with Your Ex, Be Kind to Yourself, We Will Get Through This.
By Jennifer Segura Hello World! Our world is definitely seeming smaller and smaller as the days and weeks go by. […]
We Can’t Get Married, Does a Premarital Agreement Still Protect Me?
By Amanda Singer So, there are many couples out there who may have been scheduled to get married and plans […]
How to Get a Divorce Online, Without the Headache
The world’s been put on hold — but your divorce doesn’t have to be. Quarantine and social distancing are prudent […]
Is Virtual Mediation Virtually as Good?
By Todd Singer As the world has rapidly changed so too has how we interact with each other. Businesses have […]
Dividing Your Friends During a Divorce
During a divorce, people walk into the process understanding that you will have to divide your finances, time with your […]
Information Regarding the Status of In-Person Mediation Sessions
First of all, a sincere thank you to all our clients who have been flexible, understanding, and patient during this […]
The Dangerous Game of Gaslighting
By Rachel Vanni Have you ever been with someone who makes you feel like you are going insane? Every time […]
Communication Skills for Any Relationship
By Amanda Singer Being ordered to shelter in place can be difficult for people in thriving happy relationships and even more difficult […]
Cheap Divorce Online Too Good To Be True?
By Jennifer M. Segura If you live in San Diego, you have surely seen the van that is parked around […]
How to Get a Divorce Online
By Amanda Singer Even before Covid-19 hit and businesses who may have never thought about moving online were forced to move […]
How Job Loss Could Impact Child Support and Spousal Support
By Amanda Singer As of April 24, 2020, the US has lost 26.5 million jobs over the past five weeks, […]
Grief Brain & Managing Relationships
By Rachel Vanni In this time, so many people are experiencing “grief-brain” at the same time. I know what you […]
Why Online Marital Mediation Is Crucial Right Now
By Jennifer Segura The one idea I think we can all agree on during these unprecedented times is that there’s a lot we all take for granted. Our […]
Splitting Assets In a Down Market
By Amanda Singer A lot is going on right now in the world. For those of you currently involved in […]
Co-parenting and COVID-19
by Amanda Singer This is an unknown and challenging time for everyone, as there are so many changes. For those […]
Online Mediation: How it Works
By Jennifer Segura San Diego Family Mediation Center has always offered online mediation as an option to our clients. Typically, […]
Courts are Closed, What Do I Do Now?
By Amanda Singer Beginning March 17th, the San Diego Family Courts are closed except for emergency issues, such as restraining […]
IVF & Divorce: What You Need to Know
By Todd Singer For many couples across the US Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), which encompasses technology like In-vitro Fertilization (IVF), […]
URGENT: Due to COVID19, We Are Moving 100% Online
Dear Clients & Community, COVID-19 has changed our lives dramatically in such a short period of time. Over the last […]
Divorce in a Time of Uncertainty
By Jennifer Segura With all of our local stores lacking necessary supplies…toilet paper, hand sanitizer, etc., it is only natural […]
How to Create Co-Parenting Plans that Work
One of the most contentious areas of a divorce involves custody and visitation. In divorce mediation, we prefer the term, […]
Pitfalls of a DIY Divorce
By Jennifer Segura Sometimes we have people come in, and they ask if they can do the divorce process on […]
Divorcing with a Newborn
It is normal for families to struggle with the addition of a new baby. There are changes to the family […]
How to Prepare for a Prenup
Spring is coming up quickly, and for many couples, that means wedding time! For some of those couples, it means […]
You Don’t Need Closure on Everything
I think something a lot of people struggle with is the idea that to have a healthy, thriving marriage, that […]
Learning to Be Your Own Best Friend
For many people, your spouse just wasn’t your husband or wife, and they were also your best friend. Even if […]
What is a CDFA and How Can They Help Me in My Divorce?
By Jennifer Segura Founded in 1993, the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFA) is the premier national organization dedicated to […]
New Year Divorce Survival Guide
By Amanda Singer It’s a new year, and for many people, that can mean a change in your relationship or […]
The Conflict Rabbit Hole & Other Dangers of Litigation
I’m sure you have heard it all before, “I thought we agreed on x, y, z? Why is your attorney […]
Why People Choose Divorce After the Holidays
Those in family law know January as “divorce season.” The start of the new year brings a flood of divorcing […]
A Marriage Story, Truth
By Jennifer Segura During the first session, a client asked me if I had seen “A Marriage Story” on Netflix. […]
Navigating Interfaith Holiday Celebrations
By Amanda Singer Holidays can be both a wonderful and a difficult time with all of the family time and […]
Why Everyone Is Choosing Divorce Mediation in California
Have you ever gone in the middle of a public place and started screaming out all your most private and […]
Divorce and Special Needs Children
Being a parent of a child with special needs is incredibly stressful. It isn’t surprising that the divorce rate amongst […]
Traveling with Your Child During the Holidays
By Amanda Singer The holidays are a time of year where many people travel, whether it’s for vacation or to […]
Divorce and Self-Blame
You hear it all the time, it takes two to tango. It is true that divorce is often the result […]
Family, Holidays, and Divorce
By Jennifer Segura Trying to make it through the divorce of a family member is quite awkward, especially when it […]
Speaking Positively About Your Spouse Benefits You
Anyone who has been in a divorce understands the tendency to speak badly about the other person. Maybe they were […]
How to Save Money on Divorce
By Amanda Singer One of the most common questions we get from prospective clients when they call or come in […]
3 Tips for Fostering Success in Mediation
By Todd Singer Mediation can be a contentious process. We, as mediators, do everything we can to help achieve a lasting agreement, but one […]
Should You Spend Holidays Together During a Divorce?
This is a common question that comes up during the divorce process, particularly as we approach the holiday season. Should […]
The Hard Truth About Boundaries
By Amanda Singer Setting boundaries isn’t easy. However, boundaries are also essential for our self-care and well-being. I recently listened […]
Is Gross or Net Income Used When Calculating Support?
By Jennifer M. Segura We often are asked how child and/or spousal support is calculated; whether gross income or net […]
Sometimes It’s Better to Cut Your Losses
If you are a perfectionist, type-A personality type, it can be so difficult to call it quits. You want to […]
Guest Post: How Is Child Custody Determined?
Guest post by Sam Mazella from The Peterson Law Firm Divorces happen; and when they do, one of the toughest […]
Divorce Is Not a Personal Failure
While it is much more acceptable to talk about divorce than it was a few decades ago, it still has […]
8 Best Kids Books That Explain Divorce
Being a parent sometimes means having really difficult conversations with your child. If you and your spouse have decided to […]
Can I Mediate During Divorce Litigation?
Can I Mediate During Divorce Litigation? | By Jennifer M. Segura We often have potential clients call and ask if […]
5 Reasons to Use a Divorce Mediator in San Diego
By Amanda Singer There are many reasons to use a divorce mediator San Diego. However, I wanted to share five […]
Grieving After Your Divorce
People cope with divorce just like a death. In certain ways, it is exactly like a death, but instead of […]
Just Let It Go: The Key to Peace with Your Ex
As many divorcing couples know, your ex has the unique ability to get under your skin in just the right […]
How to Co-Parent Together
By Amanda Singer When you have kids together, and you get divorced or separate your co-parent is always going to […]
Fall into good habits: Co-Parenting This Fall
By Jennifer Segura As the chaos of summer is finally winding down, the chaos of school starting begins to rev […]
How to Regain Control Over a Divorce
Whether you or your spouse initiated a divorce, it can feel like you quickly lose control over the process. This […]
Can I Move During a Divorce?
By Amanda Singer One of the common questions that we get from people is: “Can I move during a divorce?” […]
How to Tell Your Spouse You Want a Divorce
There may never be a harder conversation that you have when thinking about a divorce. We have many clients that […]
Summer Travel with the Kiddos Post Divorce
By Jennifer Segura It is that dreaded time of year again… when parents start to scramble to figure out what […]
How to Choose the Right Mediator: Divorce Help In San Diego
By Amanda Singer Choosing the right mediator can be a difficult decision, and unfortunately, not all mediators are created equally. […]
How to Get a Quick Divorce in San Diego
There are a lot of preconceived notions about divorce. In TV, movies, and the news, it seems like a long, […]
Attorneys vs. Mediators: The Good the Bad and The Truth
By Jennifer Segura Attorneys and mediators are in this weird symbiotic relationship, but yet it is not entirely clear if […]
Collaborative Law v. Mediation
By Amanda Singer If you’ve decided to get divorced, it can be difficult sometimes to determine what to do next. […]
Ramifications of Divorce & Employee Productivity
By Todd Singer Divorce can be an expensive undertaking, especially for those who decide to litigate with adversarial attorneys. We […]
Why Do I Have to Pay San Diego Child Support?
Divorce can be painful and oftentimes complicated. This is especially true when children are involved. San Diego child support isn’t […]
What Is a Default Divorce in San Diego?
By Amanda Singer When you’re getting divorced in San Diego, there are a few options of how the divorce gets […]
What If One Person Doesn’t Want the Divorce?
By Jennifer Segura We often get the question, “What if my spouse does not want the divorce, do I have […]
Getting Divorced in San Diego
Many people when they are getting divorced in San Diego, they tend to do a lot of initial research. It […]
Why You Can’t Trust a Divorce Spousal Support Calculator
By Rachel Vanni When you are getting a divorce, it is natural to want to do as much research as […]
How to File for Child Support in San Diego
By Jennifer Segura If you find yourself in a situation where you need to file for child custody and/or child […]
Marriage Maintenance: What You Can Do to Ward Off Divorce
By Rachel Vanni Money, kids, free time, housework, and in-laws. These are five of the top things married couples argue […]
What Is an Impasse in Mediation and How Do You Get Past It?
By Amanda Singer The dictionary defines impasse as “a situation in which no progress is possible, especially because of disagreement. […]
What if One Party Refuses to Sign Divorce Papers?
By Rachel Vanni During a divorce, it is common for one side to be the initiator. In fact, one spouse […]
Is Mediating My Divorce Taking a Shortcut?
By Jennifer Segura Since I became a mediator over ten years ago, I have witnessed a sort of love/hate relationship […]
Guest Post: How to Spot If Your Child Is Depressed
As parents, we just want to get it right with our kids! When going through a major life transition, such […]
Pet Custody in Divorce
I recently adopted a dog and grew up always have at least two cats in our house. Point is, I’m […]
So, Your Spouse Wants a Divorce
By Rachel Vanni January is known as “divorce month,” as many people decide post-holidays to call it quits. However, the […]
What to Do with Our Children’s Accounts in a Divorce?
By Jennifer Segura When going through a divorce the joint assets go through a sort of equalization process, to ensure […]
Guest Post: Sometimes It’s Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It
This is a guest post by CivilCommunicator. The original Post can be found here. Discussions about how best to communicate tone […]
Religion and Faith Before/During Marriage and After Divorce
By Amanda Singer Religion is one of those topics that we often don’t talk about because of the concern over […]
New Divorce Holiday Survival Guide
You are experiencing a lot of firsts as a new divorcé. The holidays bring out a lot of emotion. For […]
San Diego Child Support: How Is it Calculated and What Does it Cover?
By Jen Segura There always seems to be confusion around what San Diego child support covers. We thought we would […]
Establishing a Divorce Community
By Amanda Singer When you’re going through a divorce, it is difficult to say the least. Whether you are at […]
Why You Should Work with a Local Mediation Company
When you are searching for a local mediation company, you likely are starting online. You may use a search engine […]
How to Give Thanks for Your Divorce
Everyone goes through different stages when separating from your spouse. Maybe you were the initiator of the split, and you […]
How to Find Family Mediation Services
Every family has their problems. It is so easy to be hard on yourself as a parent when things go […]
Why Is Marriage So Hard? Is Anyone Happy?
Not too long ago I read an article that resonated SO much with me that I have continued to share […]
Female Breadwinners: Marriage and Divorce
Female Breadwinners: Marriage and Divorce By Amanda Singer More often I have clients where the women are the higher earner […]
A Widow’s Guide to a Great Marriage
When you have experienced loss, particularly a spouse, it changes how you view relationships. Through great pain, you can experience […]
Guest Post: Beware the Advice of “Marital First Responders”
“Bad advice will blind you, good advice will instruct you, excellent advice will enlighten you, and transcendent advice will elevate […]
How Spousal Support in San Diego Is Calculated
How Spousal Support in San Diego Is Calculated One of the most significant sources of conflict in a divorce is […]
How to Buy a House Together When You Aren’t Married (and Protect Yourself)
My boyfriend and I recently bought a home together. It is the first home either of us has bought and […]
Back to School Tips for Co-Parents
If you are like me, you can’t believe that the summer is coming to a close and schools are back […]
Why Do I Need a QDRO and What Is It?
Why Do I Need a QDRO and What Is It? Qualified Domestic Relations Orders… also referred to as a “QDRO” is […]
Don’t Use Your Child as a Messenger
By Rachel Vanni This seems like one of the most practical things to not do during a San Diego divorce, […]
How to Lock In 2018 Tax Laws for Spousal Support in California
How to Lock In 2018 Tax Laws for Spousal Support in California By Amanda Singer As many of you reading […]
How a Good Credit Score Can Save You Money
Guest Blog by Bridget Venus Grimes, CFP® What’s your credit score? And why does it matter? I recently met with a […]
The Greatest Showman, Infidelity, and Marriage
By Jen Segura If only real life could be this way….*Warning, movie spoilers ahead* So… I finally had a chance […]
Tax Changes & Prenups: How Will This All Work?
By Amanda Singer There’s been a lot of talk going on around the recent tax changes as it relates to […]
How Long Does a Prenup Take?
Summer weddings are upon us! Saying “I do!” is rather exciting, but all the planning leading up to it can […]
Emotional Labor & Its Toll on Marriage
Written by Amanda Singer Recently my Dad sent me a podcast to listen to from ‘Dear Sugars” titled The Invisible […]
Child Loss, Marriage, and Divorce
One of the hardest things anyone could ever go through is the loss of a child. It puts a strain […]
The Importance of Filing in June
You may have received our recent newsletter that discussed filing your initial petition by June 20th if you wish to […]
Splitting Up Together
Splitting Up Together is a new show on ABC, about a couple (Martin and Lena) who gets divorced but decides […]
Why Most Couples Decide to Sell the House
Often the most important (and valuable) asset couples have together is their home. Deciding what to do with your home […]
Why the Love of a Good Friend May Save a Marriage
Many things make men and women different. As a woman myself, I have to say my favorite difference is that […]
Co-Parenting with a Teenager
Guest Post by CustodyXChange The dreaded teenage years are a defining stage in a child’s life. They are also a […]
Alimony Recapture Rule: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?
Majority of the clients we work regarding San Diego spousal support have never heard of the alimony recapture rule and […]
What Exactly Does the Six-Month “Cooling off” Period Mean to Me
This is a topic we often find confuses our clients, and so it is always a topic we come back […]
The Most Damaging Things You May Be Doing to Your Marriage
No marriage is perfect. It is important to realize that everyone has their ups and downs. Real relationships are moments […]
5 Financial Tips for Those Going Through a Divorce
Divorce, no doubt, is devastating emotionally, but can also be devastating financially. Even if there is a lot of money, […]
Adult Children of Divorce: How to Cope
By Amanda Singer As a continuation of last weeks’ article where I talked about tips for parents who are going […]
Adult Children of Divorce: It Still Hurts
By Amanda Singer When I was in law school I had a good friend, whose parents were going through a […]
Relationships Aren’t Perfect and Neither Are You
Over and over, relationships struggle with the idea of perfection. Often, a spouse is held to an impossibly high standard […]
How to Save Your Second (or Third) Marriage
Did you know that the divorce rates for second and third marriages are much worse than first? In fact, ~56% […]
Guest Post: Getting Your Co-Parent to Support Your Decisions
Whether you have sole physical custody or shared custody you generally still want your ex-spouse to maintain a healthy relationship […]
Dear Life, Who Am I?
After any major shift in your life, your identity comes into question. Some shifts are happy, the transition from single […]
Navigating the Emotional Challenges of Moving During Divorce
Moving can be hard no matter how old you are. I’ve moved more times than I can remember but it’s […]
How Not to Hate Your Spouse After Having Kids
I am an avid audiobook listener… with two little kiddos at home, there is no time for relaxing and reading […]
Why January Is the Perfect Month to File for Divorce
The decision to go through a divorce does not come lightly. Many couples have exhausted all options of therapy before […]
5 Tax Reform Takeaways for Divorcing Clients
Now that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) has been signed into law we wanted to run […]
Can Mediation Discussions be Admissible In Court?
No. Absolutely not. In California, anything that is said in mediation, anything that is written before mediation, during mediation, or […]
In Mediation Do I Have to File My Court Documents?
One of the most common questions we get in our office is about the legal documents required for divorce. Many […]
New Proposed Tax Changes: How This Will Impact Your Divorce
What affects could the proposed tax changes have on divorced clients? While there is still a lot of unknowns surrounding the […]
Reacting to Negative Comments Around the Thanksgiving Table
When you are going through the beginning of the divorce process, your lives still may be very still intertwined. You […]
Not My Kid, Not My Problem: How Dependent Deductions Impact All of Us
While the government proposes to take away dependent deductions and deductions for alimony, and family court continues to tear families apart, it […]
Where Did My Friends Go? Re-Evaluating Friendships Post-Divorce
When people go through a difficult time like a divorce, they expect that their friends will be there to support […]
Who Gets Fido? Custody of Pets During Divorce
Under the law, pets are considered objects that are owned by either party. However, for many people, their dog or […]
If We Both Have Attorneys Already Can We Still Mediate?
This is a question that we get often from potential clients who are interested in mediation but already have attorneys. […]
Coping with Your Emotions During and After Divorce
Here is a guest post by Natalie Cruz, who uses Expressive Arts Therapy to help families cope with the stress of […]
Don’t Make This Divorce Mistake
Whether you are thinking about filing for divorce, or already have, you may be a bit overwhelmed with all the […]
Divorcing with a Special Needs Child
Going through a divorce when you have a child is incredibly difficult. However, when your child has particular and complicated […]
Does a Postnuptial Mean Marriage Trouble?
Most people have heard of a prenup before, but I feel like there is a negative connotation with the word. […]
3 Things You Can Do to Strengthen Your Co-Parenting Relationship
Ending any relationship with someone can be difficult, but if you have children together, you need to find a way […]
3 Things You Can Do Today to Help with Your Divorce
Going through a divorce is undoubtedly one of the most stressful life events that you can experience. You may feel […]
Physical Struggles of Divorce
It is well-known that divorce is incredibly stressful. Many people think of the emotional implications and complications, but don’t realize […]
Who Should Move out When a Divorce Is Pending?
Often, one of the most difficult decisions about your divorce must be made at the very beginning of the process. […]
The Dos and Don’ts of Dating After Divorce
Going through a divorce is stressful enough without having to think about jumping back into the dating scene again. For […]
3 Biggest Mistakes Newlyweds Make
Did you know that June and July are the most popular months to get married? There is something inherently romantic […]
Do I Need a Court Order If We Were Never Married?
We often have people come in, and they are co-parents, but were never married. Often they choose not to file […]
4 Things to Do in San Diego During Your Child’s Summer Break
Summer is officially in full swing! Kids are all out of school, the 4th of July has come and gone, […]
Grieving an Ex-Spouse
One of the most surprising topics to come up in our practice has been the loss of an ex-spouse. When […]
Working with Other Professionals During Your Divorce Mediation
Often, we get questions from clients about whether they have to have an attorney to do mediation and sometimes they […]
10 Inspirational Quotes for a Difficult Day
Going through a divorce can be difficult, here are 10 inspirational quotes for a difficult day to remind yourself that […]
How to Spot When Your Child Needs Help During Divorce
Each year, millions of Americans face living with a mental health condition. As many as 1 in 5 US adults […]
A Reminder to Single Moms on Mother’s Day
It isn’t a big secret that being a mother is hard. However, single mothers have it particularly tough. We want […]
Why Women Ask for a Divorce
Why & How Women Ask for a Divorce Due to the topic at hand, this blog relates primarily to heterosexual […]
Minimizing Stress During a Difficult Time Is Within Your Control
We’ve all had times in our lives when we’ve been stressed out, and I know that is only harder to […]
How to Take Control of Your Divorce
One of the recurring themes that we see with clients is that they feel completely out of control during a […]
How to Overcome an Impasse
I often have clients ask how I handle an impasse in mediation. Here is an example of an email I […]
Why Do We Not Talk About Money?
Recently I was catching up with a friend from college, and we started talking about money. The conversation soon turned […]
46 STEPS TO ENSURE YOUR DIVORCE RECOVERY: A DEFINITION AND GUIDE
This article was originally posted on sasforwomen.com (view article) and is reposted here with permission. Divorce recovery describes the all-encompassing […]
Sabotaging the Divorce Fantasy – Part II
If you missed Part I read it here first Now that you and your spouse will likely be sharing time […]
Why Listening Matters
We’re taught at a very young age that it’s important to learn how to listen, but how often are we […]
Sabotaging the Divorce Fantasy – Part I
I did not coin this phrase, but I do believe in it. I think that many people who come to […]
36 THINGS TO DO IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT DIVORCE
This article was originally posted on sasforwomen.com (view article) and is reposted here with permission. If you are thinking about […]
Prenups Don’t Scream Romance
Prenuptial agreements (prenups) don’t scream romance, and I know it is probably the LAST thing that you want to think […]
End of the Year Check-In: Post-Divorce Checklist
As we come to the end of yet, another year, it is always important to reflect on the year that […]
How to Enjoy the Holiday Season
The holidays can be a difficult time if you’re going through a divorce, especially if this is the first year […]
Mediation Behind Closed Doors – Part III: How Is Your Process Structured Differently?
In this 3-part series, I have been discussing nuances of our mediation process, to help those who have never been […]
What It Means to Be Grateful
Every year at Thanksgiving my family goes around the table, and we share what we’re thankful for. Now it sounds […]
Mediation Behind Closed Doors – Part II: What does a typical mediation session look like?
So, let’s walk into a session and act as a fly on the wall. Actually, just this morning I had […]
Guest Blog by Craig Lambert – 5 Reasons to Try Marriage Education
By Craig Lambert – Craig Lambert Couples Therapy For young couples, the thrill of engagement and wedding preparations can overshadow […]
The Importance of Premarital Financial Planning
In the past few years, I have attended countless weddings, I guess that’s what happens when you’re in your thirties, […]
Mediation Behind Closed Doors – Part 1: The Mystery of Mediation
We often have clients come in, and at the end of their first meeting, they tell us how relieved they […]
How to Be Happy
This past weekend I spent Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, with my family in Arizona. Rabbi Bonnie Koppel gave […]
Managing Family Time During a Divorce
When you are in the midst of a divorce, it can feel like it consumes everything: your mind, your feelings, […]
How to Manage Your Stress During a Divorce
It is no secret that going through a divorce is stressful, even when each party approaches the process with a […]
How Prenups Save Marriages
Many people in Southern California are gearing up for a late summer wedding. You may be running around, putting together […]
Building a Divorce Survival Kit
Before you embark on a long, dangerous hike, you wouldn’t just go out into the woods without supplies. You would […]
Back to School Tips for Divorcing Families
Going through a divorce can mean a lot of disruptions to your schedule, particularly during the summer when the children […]
Why August Is the Best Month to Begin a Divorce
Not that there is ever a good time to start the stressful process of divorce, but August is by far […]
Top 4 Divorce Myths Debunked
As divorce mediators, we are always surprised at how many myths and misconceptions there are out there regarding the divorce […]
The UK Attempts a Divorce Mediation App
Most people don’t realize how truly expensive a divorce can be until you are faced with the large financial challenges […]
Real Talk San Diego: What Is Divorce Mediation?
On July 7, 2016, San Diego Family Mediation Center’s mediators Jennifer Segura and Amanda Singer made an appearance on Real […]
How to Prepare for Divorce Mediation
If you have made the decision to pursue divorce mediation, it is always wise to do a bit of research […]
Military & Divorce: What You Need to Know
The military life puts considerable stress on all family members. Frequent moves, long deployments, and the dealing with the emotional […]
What to Do With Your Home During a Divorce
For many people, their home is their biggest asset. Aside from finances, a marital home holds a lot of emotional […]
The Difference Between a Mediator and an Attorney
The legal system can be incredibly confusing and complicated. Many different legal professionals may help you with your dispute. You […]
Top Three FAQ About Child Custody
By far the hardest part about divorce is addressing the issue of child custody (parenting time). Splitting time with your […]
How to Plan an Affordable Divorce
Everyone knows that getting divorced can cost you. But many people don’t realize how incredibly expensive the entire process is. […]
Summer Activities for Kids Going Through a Divorce
Summer is upon us! Your children are out of school, and you may be trying to juggle the stress of […]
4 Questions to Ask Your Partner Before Marriage
When you are planning a wedding, you think about the venue, the food, the guest list, and the honeymoon, but […]
Signs Your Child Isn’t Handling Divorce Well
A child’s world is their family, their friends, school, and the comfort of consistency. A divorce is, without a doubt, […]
What to Do When Your Family Doesn’t Support Your Divorce
Getting a divorce is a personal decision between two people within a marriage. Of course, that doesn’t stop your extended […]
The Trend of Crowdfunding Divorces
Everyone is probably familiar now with crowdfunding, the process of a community coming together to fund projects, pay medical bills, […]
Biggest Unexpected Conflicts in Child Custody
When you are involved in a child custody battle, every step forward may seem like a struggle. Even in low-conflict […]
What Happens in California When One Person Refuses to Sign Divorce Papers?
In a marriage, it takes two to tango. If one person doesn’t want to dance, the music stops. While divorce […]
How Divorce Can Impact Your Taxes
While you hopefully have already completed your taxes for 2015, you may already to starting to wonder about how your […]
When April Showers Bring Divorce Papers
April is one of the most popular months to file a divorce. It can be stressful to be the spouse […]
4 Ways to De-Stress After a Divorce
It is no secret that divorces are stressful. They can be emotionally taxing as well as financially straining on everyone […]
You Would Be Surprised How Much a San Diego Divorce Costs
If you are thinking of getting a divorce, or perhaps you are in the middle of one, you probably aren’t […]
Creative Ways to Explain your Timeshare to Kids
It is no secret that a divorce is tough on the whole family, especially young children. They may be unable […]
How to Approach Your Spouse About Divorce Mediation
When you are having marital problems, you may feel as though every conversation with your spouse ends up in an […]
The Silver Divorce: Splitting After Retirement
When you get married, you hope and dream of growing old together. Unfortunately, sometimes when people grow old together, they […]
Why February Is Prenup Month
February is the month where we celebrate love! Many couples in San Diego are looking forward to a wedding in […]
Dating After Divorce: How to Break It to Your Former Spouse and Kids
The dating game can look quite daunting after you have been through a divorce. Odds are, your whole perspective on […]
Surviving Your First Valentine’s Day After Your Divorce
February is upon us and so is that dreaded day for those newly divorced, Valentine’s Day. While the first one […]
How Long Do I Have to Pay Spousal Support?
We have all heard the divorce horror stories where a spouse is forced to fork over large amounts of his […]
Separate Property vs. Community Property
When you are thinking of getting a divorce, you may be nervous about your spouse “taking it all” and leaving […]
Why Conflict Costs More: Financial Benefits of Mediation
It is no secret that divorce litigation is extremely expensive. In the United States, the average cost of a divorce […]
Benefits of Blended Family Mediation
Merging two families is tough, especially when there are children involved. Kids that were once strangers are now siblings. You […]
Biggest Financial Mistakes People Make During a Divorce
Getting a divorce is no walk in the park. It is a complex and often confusing process. When you choose […]
Co-Parenting During the Holidays
Co-parenting is never easy, but during the holidays it can be downright difficult. The holiday season is usually full of […]
Going Through a Divorce During the Holidays
The holidays may be the hardest time to go through a divorce. You are probably feeling overwhelmed by images of […]
Getting a Divorce? San Diego’s Best Resources
Getting a divorce is incredibly difficult, both financially and emotionally. Achieving dissolution with minimal stress and frustration takes a team […]
The Best Time for a Divorce
Scheduling a divorce can be difficult, particularly if you have children. Deciding when to start the process can weigh heavy […]
Divorce Confidential: Mediation v. Litigation
When you are having a deeply personal and emotional moment, do you want an audience? Of course not! When you […]
To Grandmother’s House We Go: Visitation Rights of Grandparents
When a divorce occurs, it is not only a split between two people, but also two families. Grandparents of either […]
How Do You Find a Mediator?
It has never been easier to find a mediator in your area. In today’s online world, you have many options, […]
Mediation for Blended Families Podcast by Jennifer and Amanda
Listen to our mediators, Jennifer Segura and Amanda Singer share insight about putting kids first and how mediation can help blended […]
How to Reduce Stress During a Divorce
Going through a divorce is one of the most stressful events that can occur in your life. You may feel […]
All Trick, No Treat: The Divorce Litigation Trap
Most divorcing couples want to get things over with as quickly and easily as possible. No one wants to be […]
Top 3 Benefits of a Prenuptial Agreement
While a prenuptial agreement (or prenup) is thought of as less-than romantic, it can be one of the best things […]
Little Girl Gives Advice on Divorce: Why Mediation Is Best
You have probably already seen the viral video of a little girl explaining to her parents why they should get […]
Top 3 Reasons Women Initiate Divorce
While there are many reasons why couples decide to split, women are more likely to initiate the divorce process. In […]
How to Deal With Back-to-School Schedules During Divorce
Going through a divorce is a tough transition for all those involved. School can bring some much-needed structure and stability […]
Divorce Mediation
Once you have decided to get a divorce, it is time to decide on how to proceed. Many couples make […]
Is Divorce Always the Answer?
Are you facing the tough and emotional question, “Should I get a divorce?” If you or someone you know is […]
Mediation is the wave of the next generation
Gradually growing in popularity due to the relatively inexpensive nature of being able to solve disputes from the very simple […]
Can Mediation Work?
Wouldn’t it be great in life if we knew what would happen when we give something new a try? If […]
Same Sex Marriage and Families
A few months ago, this blog might have sounded quite different than it does today. As you know, the Supreme […]
Divorce and New Kids with New Spouses
In our hearts, we all hope for the best as we proceed through key life transitions. Naturally, we feel optimistic […]
Life Insurance and Divorce
Here’s a topic I’m guessing not many of you have thought about. You’re thinking, “we’re divorced, why would I maintain […]
Mediation vs. Litigation-What are the Facts
Well here it is folks. If you’ve been reading my blog all these weeks, you may have been skeptical about […]
How Far is Too Far in a Relationship?
On a daily basis, often on a subconscious level, we all make choices defined by emotional and physical boundaries. We […]
Divorce through Litigation
When the commitment is gone, and the love has disappeared, couples are faced with a number of choices on how […]
Financially Planning Before Divorce – Should You Do It?
I can imagine as you read the title today, shaking your head in disbelief. Is she seriously suggesting that couples […]
Life After Divorce – Co-Parenting
The unthinkable has happened. You are divorced and are faced with figuring out how to make it on your own. […]
Marital Mediation – Can it Help Save Your Marriage?
Does this sound like you? You and your partner or spouse have been arguing for months, and yet the arguments […]
Cheating? Can you Forgive?
Wow, cheating and forgiveness. They hardly seem to belong in the same sentence, yet some people are able to forgive […]
Can divorcees be friends?
The ugly, desperate lows we often sink to in the heat of a divorce might make you think you would […]
Why are so many baby boomers giving up on their marriage?
Baby boomers – about 79 million in number, are those babies born between 1945 and 1964. They were so significant […]
Premarital Mediation, in addition to Premarital Counseling
For many of us, the idea of needing premarital advice of any kind, goes against the grain of our belief […]
ADR as First Career-Amanda
Yesterday I had a wonderful interview with Alyson Carrel, Clinical Assistant Professor, Assistant Director, Center on Negotiation and Mediation at Northwestern […]
Are Divorced Families the new normal?
I’m sure most of us still believe in the dream of true love. Somewhere out there, our soul mate is […]
Pitfalls of Doing your Divorce on your Own
I was talking with a friend the other day who told me about her aunt who is going through a […]
Suddenly Becoming a Trustee of an Estate
I think we can all agree that we feel most insecure when suddenly, the order and direction of our daily […]
The Child Tax Credit And Divorce
By Tom Norton, CPA, CDFA The child tax credit is available to all parents of a child under age 17, […]
A Setback for the Freedom to Marry
A Setback for the Freedom to Marry Dear Jennifer, Moments ago, the U.S. Court of Appeals for […]
What Does Child Support Cover in California and How Is It Calculated?
Child Support Guidelines: A parent’s first and principal obligation is to support his/her minor children A parent shall pay the […]
Spousal Support in San Diego- FAQ
Spousal Support in San Diego- FAQ If you’re going through a divorce, there are a few topics that can get […]
Fifteen Critical Financial Mistakes in Divorce
Becoming a Financial Victim If you suspect that your spouse is planning a divorce, make copies of all important financial […]
Is there hope for my Blended Family?
Are you in a blended family that is driving you crazy? Are you getting ready to blend families? This transition […]
Divorcecorp.com – the Movie
There is a new movie being released this month (January 2014), that exposes family court for what it really is. […]
Why should I use Mediation?
While mediation has been around as a profession for over twenty years, it has only become mainstream in the last […]
California Ends Conversion Therapy for Minors.
Today marks one of our most important victories. Today, California put an end to the practice of the psychological torture of […]
All Legal Same-Sex Marriages Will Be Recognized for Federal Tax Purposes
8/29/2013 Ruling Provides Certainty, Benefits and Protections Under Federal Tax Law for Same-Sex Married Couples WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of […]
Oceanside Office Location Coming Soon!!!!
A new satellite office coming to Oceanside in mid-September 2013. We will start offering appointments on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s at […]
Fairness…
I am always surprised when my clients are stuck on an issue because they are looking to make things “fair”. […]
Should Mediators also be Attorneys?
Should A Mediator Also Be An Attorney? by Cris Currie Supporting Effective Agreement Among the more hotly debated issues concerning […]
Mediation for Estate Disputes
Few issues are more contentious than deciding “who gets what” when creating an estate plan. Fights over terms in a […]
Happier Holidays…
Tips to help your client enjoy – rather than avoid – the holiday season. If you’re going through a divorce […]
I WANT to get divorced, but do not know where to start…
If this is something that you are thinking, you have come to the right place. The best thing about our […]
I love my job!
I know there are many many people out there who go to work day in and day out because they […]
Why should I use mediation?
Although it seems like more and more people are learning about mediation and the benefits it can offer you when […]
San Diego Superior Court Is Facing Huge Budget Cuts
The San Diego Superior Court Is Facing Huge Budget Cuts What does this change mean for you? You are the individual […]
Why don’t you believe me?
What surprises me most in my profession is the amount of people who think I am just making stuff up…I […]
What do nurses and mediators have in common?
So, I had an epiphany…a client called as said, “thank you for staying on the phone with me and listening […]
Unaccompanied Minors – How Old Can You Be to Travel Alone?
Unaccompanied Minors – How Old Can You Be to Travel Alone? Divorce obviously brings about change and sometimes a significant […]
When should we tell the kids?
It is pretty well agreed upon by the professionals that the earlier you tell the children the better. Most people […]
Just a thought…
For those of you out there that are co-parenting after a divorce, I have a thought. As most people know, […]
Divorcing…try yoga.
As with anything stressful in your life, you need to eat right, exercise and relax when going through a divorce. […]
Mediators and Legal Advice…
A mediator CANNOT offer legal advice. This applies to ALL mediators – even if the mediator is also a licensed […]
Mediation…the wave of the future?
Is mediation the wave of the future? One can only hope! I have to say that I do believe it […]