FAQ

No. We recognize that some couples may not have decided to divorce but wish to separate and create agreements on how that will work for the family. It may be helpful to meet with us for an initial session to explore the options available to you to create a separation agreement while you consider your future together.

Everyone knows someone who has gone through the process of separating. More than half of our population has gone through a divorce. Often friends and family want to help by giving you information and advice with the best of intentions.

Family Law is an area of law that focuses on the facts of each case. Since every family is unique, the outcome may be different for you than your friends. Even though friends and family mean well, their information may create fears or expectations that do not apply to your family situation. The best part in this process is that YOU control the outcome.

Compassionate Divorce™ is for couples who are committed to working hard with the support of the team to address difficult issues. It is natural to encounter resistance during this process. Our professionals suggest creative solutions that best work for both parties and the children. We are trained work with couples to help achieve settlement in the most challenging situations. However, clients must be willing to receive feedback, consider multiple solutions and fully engage. By taking responsibility for the positive outcomes this process offers, you remain in control.

If there has been domestic violence between you and your spouse or partner, Compassionate Divorce™ is likely not a good model for your family. However, it is not uncommon for couples to have an unequal power dynamic between them.

Compassionate Divorce™ requires full participation by both parties. We help the more aggressive party listen and encourage the more passive party to get engaged and express their views. By leveling the playing field in a safe environment, we make it possible for them to communicate respectfully and work together to achieve the positive outcomes you desire. The combination of our expertise will support the unique needs of your family.

If a child is age 14 or older and wishes to have a court consider their wishes, the court must hear from the child or make specific findings as to why that would not be appropriate. This does not mean the child chooses.

In our Compassionate Divorce™ model, we have a highly skilled psychologist who can have developmentally appropriate conversations with children of all ages to not only determine the child’s wishes, but also to address the fears and concerns they have so the child will thrive with both parents.

No. There is no difference in your legal rights if you are a Petitioner or Respondent.

Traditional divorce and separation models do not usually focus on the psychological issues that can impact all members of the family and interfere with the ability of one or both parties to engage in productive problem-solving to reach the best possible outcome with the least amount of conflict and cost.

Some models have two teams working with both parties. Others may have two attorneys working with a mediator as well as various mental health professionals. Clients pay multiple professionals by the hour, including experts, which drives up the cost for the family during a time where most people are already experiencing financial hardship as a result of the separation.

With Compassionate Divorce™ you will have one team working for both parties. This cuts the costs substantially by having one team working with the entire family. If we require experts, we will hire one and get neutral information you can rely on, avoiding the “battle of the experts” which can be extremely costly.

Having a psychologist involved from the beginning creates the support needed to avoid emotional pitfalls that often cause mediation to fail after spending thousands of dollars. Jeff, Kristine or Dr. Beth will offer you valuable insights and tools to keep our work together productive.

Jeff, Kristine or Dr. Beth may meet with your children to provide both parties with important and accurate assessments of how your children are doing, what their concerns and fears may be. You will receive the benefit of his experience working with separating families and creating co-parenting agreements that allow your children to thrive after separation.

This approach supports informed parenting decisions and reduces conflict between the parents while supporting all of the family members affected by this major life event.

No. Compassionate Divorce™ is an innovative form of mediation protected by Evidence Code section 1119 which protects all writings prepared during mediation, communications, settlement discussions, negotiations or any admission made for the purpose of or during the course of a mediation or consultation. Our work together is confidential. The disclosure of any of this information cannot be compelled or considered in any other process, including litigation so you are free to engage honestly in working together to create successful agreements.

It all depends on you and your partner’s ability to reach agreements. We will support you in this. We must also complete and exchange disclosure documents required by the Family Code to ensure the agreements are based on full disclosure.

The Family Code provides the earliest date to terminate marital status is six months and one day from the date the Respondent is served with the Petition. We must also complete and exchange disclosure documents required by the Family Code before we draft your agreement to ensure that all agreements are based on full disclosure between the parties. It is entirely possible to complete this process and submit a formal agreement for Judgment before the six month period. Most of our clients have a signed and filed agreement well before they are eligible to terminate their marital status.  While you will not be restored to a single person until the six month and one day period tolls, your separation will be completed with an agreement created by you, signed by a judge and filed with the Court.

Review our Questionnaire to determine whether Compassionate Divorce™ is a good fit for you. If it feels like a good fit to you, call Christina Brown at (707) 525-5778 to answer your questions and help you get started. The cost of your initial consultation with us is $600.