Frequently Asked Questions

The major differences between a simple low-complex divorce and a high-complex, high-asset divorce are the number of issues and the complexity of those issues that must be resolved in mediation. For example, a low-complex, simple divorce is characterized by having just a handful of issues that need to be resolved in mediation and a low amount of assets. Thus, time spent in mediation is likely about 7 to 9 hours. On the other hand, a high-complex, high assets divorce is characterized by many, many issues, and high assets. Not only does this mean that experts will be necessary for appraisals and asset evaluations, but also means that time spent in mediation is likely between 20 to 40 hours, sometimes even more.

 No. My SoCal Divorce Mediation was founded and built for low complex, low-asset customers that have low assets and just a handful of issues they just can’t reach an agreement on. Thus, My SoCal Divorce Mediation offers divorce mediation and Legal Document Assistance at very low prices for this population that has been traditionally underserved for divorce mediation and legal document preparation.

Private mediators are not required to be licensed attorneys. In contrast, not all licensed attorneys are mediators and many law schools do not require courses in mediation. Licensed attorneys work in an adversarial system of justice that pits one attorney against the other-each believing their case is the winning case and their opinion of the law is the correct one.  Ultimately, in litigation that leads to a verdict, one attorney wins and the other loses. Often, a licensed attorney will take private courses in mediation and obtain the same certification non-attorneys obtain. Certified mediators are trained in various aspects of mediation, focusing on maintaining neutrality and serving as a guide to help parties find solutions they had not previously considered.

Essentially, divorce mediation seeks to resolve disputes that are preventing the divorce from moving forward toward dissolution in the courts. The goal of divorce mediation is to privately and confidentially resolve all the necessary issues required for the court to grant a divorce without having the court intervene and make the decisions for the divorcing couple. The main benefit of divorce mediation is that the divorcing couple makes the decisions and customizes their own fair and equitable divorce agreement.

Divorce medication is right for any divorcing couple that is willing to negotiate and is open to finding creative solutions that resolve their disputes. The ideal clients for divorce mediation are those that are NOT entrenched in their positions and do not want to engage in litigation where the court decides what is best for the divorcing couple. In this way, divorce mediation helps to divorce couples save a great deal of time and money while putting them in the driver seat to customize their own fair and equitable divorce agreement.

Please click on video link below.
This video is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice. Those with legal questions should always consult an attorney.

Within 24 hours of scheduling your mediation session, you will electronically receive a package with paperwork, along with instructions, and a link to review and sign the mediation agreement online. The paperwork will include worksheets for those participating in divorce mediation to prepare on their own. The worksheets include income and expenses, parenting plan (if children are involved), a listing of all assets related to the divorce, and details surrounding the issues the participants which to resolve in mediation.

Yes. My SoCal Divorce Mediation will provide a legally binding stipulated judgement for all clients who complete divorce mediation in California and agree to a divorce settlement agreement (stipulated judgement).

For over 30 years, social scientists have conducted empirical studies on the success and satisfaction rates of mediation. Generally, empirical studies have shown a success rate of 80 percent with participants reporting that they liked mediation, thought the mediation process was fair, and that mediation provided positive outcomes that were far better and far cheaper than court divorce litigation

My SoCal Divorce Mediation serves all cities included in the geographical area known as Southern California. This area includes the counties, and surrounding areas, of Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, Santa Barbra County, San Diego County, San Bernardino County, and Ventura County. If you are looking for divorce mediation in California, we can help.

Yes, My SoCal Divorce Mediation provides a free 20-minute initial zoom consultation, provided both parties are present. All free 20-minute initial zoom consultations must be scheduled in advance via the webpage. This is done to avoid speaking to one party without the other party present for the purposes of maintaining a spirit of neutrality and avoiding any appearance of bias. For this reason, a free initial zoom consultation cannot take place if both parties are not present. To schedule a free 20-minute initial consultation via zoom, please click on the scheduling link and choose a time. Please remember to check the box that affirms both parties have agreed to the free 20-minute initial consultation, or the consultation cannot be scheduled.

No. My SoCal Divorce Mediation only partners with My SoCal Divorce Legal Document Assistance for the dissolution of marriage. My SoCal Divorce Legal Document Assistance operates as a separate company from My SoCal Divorce Mediation and exclusively serves clients of My SoCal Divorce Mediation.

On the website homepage for My SoCal Divorce Mediation just click on the scheduling button and this will take you to MY SCHEDULE where you will find a drop-down menu that allows you to select the mediation hours you desire.

For the most part No. My SoCal Divorce Mediation is almost entirely virtual via Zoom. However, for those that require special accommodations scheduled office visits can be arranged via the contact form. All in-person sessions are conducted at My SoCal Divorce Mediation’s corporate office located at 9431 Haven Ave Suite 232 Rancho Cucamonga CA 91730

The founder and sole proprietor, Mr. Fredrick Stemme, possesses both hands-on experience and academic training, consisting of over 20 years of experience in conflict resolution, troubleshooting, and helping individuals obtain a solution to conflict. Academically, Mr. Fredrick Stemme has a master’s degree in legal studies and certificates in both mediation and divorce mediation.

A Registered Legal Document Assistant is an individual that is legally allowed to prepare legal documents for clients for a fee. The founder and sole proprietor of My SoCal Divorce Mediation, Mr. Fredrick Stemme, is both bonded and registered with the County of San Bernardino as a legal document assistant and performs all LDA services through his partnership with My SoCal Divorce Legal Document Assistance.

No, but My SoCal Mediation will provide clients who cannot attend mediation with two free make-up attempts that allow clients to reschedule divorce mediation two additional times with no extra fee. If the client fails to attend divorce mediation for the third time, no additional free makeup sessions are provided. An exception is made if My SoCal Divorce Mediation experiences technical difficulties and cannot provide divorce mediation services. In this situation, the client can either opt to reschedule the divorce mediation or receive a full refund. However, My SoCal Divorce Mediation, as stated in the mediation agreement, is not responsible for technical difficulties experienced by the end user.

You should always consult an attorney if you have legal questions. Please be advised that only a licensed attorney can provide legal advice, which consists of recommendations provided by the attorney based on his or her opinion of the law. My SoCal Divorce Mediation does not provide legal advice but rather provides information only. Please read the disclaimer at the bottom of My SoCal Divorce Mediation that makes this statement.

Yes and No. Initially, My SoCal Divorce Mediation provides divorce mediation only in blocks of 7 ½ hours. If your divorce mediation is not completed in the 7 ½ hours, you may purchase more divorce mediation services on an hourly basis. But again, this is only for clients that have previously purchased the initial block of 7 ½ hours of divorce mediation but did not complete their mediation and need more time to do so.  

No. My SoCal Divorce Mediation keeps its prices very low via its web-based approach to divorce mediation and by selling divorce mediation services in an initial block of 7 ½ hours. Thus, the prices for divorce mediation have already been heavily discounted and no refunds are provided if mediation takes less than the 7 ½ hours.