DIVORCE & FAMILY MEDIATION

Why Mediation?

• Minimize Emotional Trauma
• Reduce Stress and Anxiety
• Save Time and Money

The process of getting divorced can be draining and emotionally charged. Sometimes, the healthiest thing we can do for each other is to let go with love. At QMI, we help couples end their romantic and financial partnerships in a manner that results in a fair and equitable division of their assets. In addition, we assist couples with children to continue to co-parent their kids with grace and dignity. We are deeply committed to mediating your divorce in a way that celebrates mutual respect and highlights our community’s core principle of equality.

Mediation at QMI is specifically focused on reducing the negative psycho-social, emotional and financial effects on the mental health of all those involved in the process. 

What is Mediation?

Divorce Mediation is a process where a trained and certified Mediator sits with the couple and guides them through the entire process in an active and educational way.  It’s vital that each party understands every aspect of each decision that needs to be made so that they can come to a resolution in a fair manner. 

The mediator is an independent, neutral third-party that can help people understand the process and come to an agreement.  They actively participate in the negotiations, but the spouses have full control over the decisions they will be making.  This is a much more autonomous process than arbitration, whereby an arbitrator acts as a judge and controls the decision-making process.

The QMI Difference

Mediation at QMI is an efficient, cost-effective and empowering tool of conflict resolution. A therapeutic environment allows for an openness that vastly improves the likelihood of successful mediation. Dr. CK has over 15 years of experience working at the intersection of queer, poly and kink communities, allowing her to make an already difficult experience more comfortable, transparent and compassionate.

As queer people, we often have lifestyles that are not always understood by traditional practitioners. This often results in unnecessary emotional labor in order to educate those we are seeking help from. At QMI we are highly versed variables common to queer families, such as adoption, surrogacy, and IVF. 

As a mental health professional, Dr. CK  is uniquely trained to help couples resolve disagreements and lay the groundwork for an improved on-going relationship between the parties after the divorce is over. 

Dealing with loss and grief is almost always a part of disagreements between family members – loss of a relationship, loss of a dream, loss of identity, loss of social relationships, loss of financial security, etc. Beginning to come to terms with loss is an essential precondition for reaching a compromise in any dispute. Dr. CK expertly assists others to find meaning and dignity in their experiences, thus facilitating healing and growth.

Rates

• Mediation at QMI is conducted in 90 -minute sessions @ $400/session. 
• Most mediations can come to a full agreement in all areas in 1-3 sessions, depending on the complexity of the case.  
• When the entire mediation is complete QMI will draft the Memorandum of Understanding, the written document that becomes your legal divorce agreement once filed. There is a one time fee of $450 for this document and its preparations.
• We are available to travel to you for an additional fee. 

(Please note: We only serve clients filing for Divorce in California. One of the parties can reside in another state but we are certified and educated in the legal aspects of California specifically. For more information please visit our FAQ page)