West Coast Family Mediation

For separated or divorced parents, navigating holidays like Halloween can be stressful. Who takes the kids trick-or-treating? Who picks the costume? These small but significant decisions can feel overwhelming without a plan. 🎃 Tips for a Happy Co-Parenting Halloween: ✅Trade every other Halloween so each parent gets a turn. ✅Share costume costs or shop together. ✅Create new traditions that work for everyone. ✅If possible, make it a family event—just focus on the kids! Keep the communication open, stay flexible, and make sure the spooky season stays filled with fun for everyone! #CoParenting #Halloween #ParentingTips #FamilyFun

One of the most common questions when a couple is going through a divorce is: who gets to keep the house? In this post, we break down the basics. 🏠 California is a community property state, meaning that both spouses have a ½ interest in the asset (and debt), including houses. A home purchased during the marriage is considered community property, and typically, each spouse is entitled to half the value of the home. If one spouse wants to keep the home, the other spouse can "buy out" the other person's community property interest. The cost will depend on the equity built into the home's value, and there is often much negotiation over how that value will be achieved. In mediation, you can be creative, exchanging your interest in other assets for the home's equity value. Of course, unique circumstances that may complicate the transfer of ownership of a home will need to be addressed during mediation. For more information, check out our blog that covers this topic in more detail: https://loom.ly/u3h1GXI #DivorceMediation #CommunityProperty #Divorce

Mediation is possible even after betrayal—if both parties are committed to focusing on the best interests of the entire family. During mediation, it’s essential to listen and prioritize the needs of everyone involved, including the unfaithful spouse. This approach can help foster a healthier outcome, whether you choose to stay together or part ways. 🤝💬 #DivorceMediation #Infidelity #FamilyFirst #ConflictResolution

One of the most significant assets most people own is their retirement accounts. The prospect of having to split something so substantial can be terrifying and emotionally challenging. Retirement savings, assuming it was acquired over the course of the marriage is considered community property. This means each spouse has a 50% interest in the total amount. Technically, the account should be split in half, and if that is the case, you are allowed to transfer the money without the typical penalty with the use of a QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) However, mediation allows parties to be creative in how they split assets. Perhaps parties agree to leave each other's retirement accounts and instead split the difference using another asset, perhaps equalizing with home proceeds or spousal support. There can be different tax ramifications of different assets so working with a mediator who is also a CDFA® ensures that you've considered these issues. You have options. Work with a mediator and create a plan that works for each party. Learn more about divorce mediation here: https://loom.ly/N7TcssE

Did you know? You don’t need to be a licensed attorney to be a mediator. However, when it comes to navigating the legal complexities of divorce, working with a mediator who is also a licensed attorney is incredibly beneficial. Here’s why: ✅ Legal Expertise: Understanding family law means your conversations and subsequent agreement are in alignment with the current laws of your state. ✅ Avoiding Court Pitfalls: A licensed attorney knows the ins and outs of what could go wrong in drafting the final agreement and can safeguards in place to avoid the courtroom. ✅ Efficiency: Save time and reduce stress by ensuring all legal procedures are correctly handled and minimizing delays. When the stakes are high, experience matters. Contact us to learn how we can help make your divorce just a bit easier. #DivorceMediation #SanDiegoMediation #WestCoastFamilyMediation

Divorce can be one of the most emotionally challenging times in a person’s life, and the impact on mental health is often profound. On World Mental Health Day, we want to remind everyone going through a separation or divorce that taking care of your mental health is just as important as managing the legal and financial aspects. 🤝 #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #Divorce

The divorce process isn't easy, but it doesn't have to take as long as you think. The required time until you are legally divorced will vary from state to state. In California, a six-month "cooling-off" period is required before your divorce is final. That doesn't mean you must wait six months to begin the process. It just means the date in which you are officially divorced won't be before the 6-month mark from the date your spouse was served with the divorce petition. Mediation moves much faster than the litigation process. Most of our clients work through the entirety of their divorce agreement well before the six-month mark. Our clients don't have to wait for court hearings or have excessive conflict back and forth, which speeds up the divorce timeline. Of course, if a couple wants to take things at a slower pace, that is alright, too. The great part about mediation is that it is on your timeline and within your control. #Divorce #DivorceMediation #Divorce101

Kindness counts! Tomorrow is National Be Nice Day, a reminder that small acts of kindness can go a long way. Compliment, lend a hand, or share a smile. Every bit matters! 🌟 👉How are you spreading kindness today? Share your stories! #NationalBeNiceDay #BeKindAlways #KindnessMatters

When you and your spouse separate, does that mean divorce is inevitable? Not necessarily. A trial separation is when you and your spouse get some space from each other. This can be emotional or physical space. You may need that time to reflect on how you want to move forward and during that time you may still be working on your marriage. The date you decide to separate may be known as the "date of separation" and can have some financial consequences if you choose to progress to divorce. Divorce means you fully intend to dissolve your marriage legally. It begins with the filing of a divorce petition that is then served on the other spouse. In California, you then have a 6-month cooling-off period to wait until your divorce is considered final. You can also choose to file for a legal separation instead while remaining technically married, which may be preferred depending on your circumstances. Questions about filing for legal separation or divorce? We can help. Call (858) 707-5133 or visit our website: https://loom.ly/N7TcssE #LegalSeparation #Separation #DivorceMediation

In our monthly newsletter, we recently highlighted Amanda Pecot, AIF®, CDFA®. She does incredible work supporting couples going through a divorce with financial planning and investment advising. Learn more about Amanda and scroll down to learn how to contact her! Tell us a little bit about yourself and the kind of clients you work with. I am a flat-fee financial planner and investment advisor specializing in divorce, and I love helping people through transitions. My favorite clients to support are those who might be feeling a little overwhelmed about money and ready to start learning about their own personal finances so they can start to take control of their own futures and be empowered to make financial decisions. I love to listen to my clients’ stories before diving into the tangibles, as each client comes in with their own unique perspective, and I love personalizing money to align with their individual values and goals. What piece of advice would you offer to an individual or couple going through a divorce? A divorce causes you to rethink everything you had planned for, and a lot of people get stuck trying to achieve the goals they had before, regardless of how things may have changed. I encourage anyone facing a divorce to take the time and look inward to redefine their goals, ideally with the help of a trusted adviser, so they can look to the future instead of focusing on the past. What is the biggest mistake you see clients make when going through a divorce? Focusing on what the other person is getting, or what they are “giving up”, instead of identifying what they need in order to be on their own, financially and physically, and pursuing an agreement that allows them to move forward. Share an interesting fact about you. I am a professional ballroom dancer in West Coast Swing, and I still teach and dance all over the world a few weekends a year (most recently in Portugal)! How can someone get in touch with you? They can visit my website: https://loom.ly/pOy_hyo or e-mail me at: amanda@guidemyfinances.com / Phone: 760-547-7585 x105 #FinancialPlanning #Divorce #InvestmentAdvisor