Court Me No More

Court Me No More

As long as there will be marriages, there will also be divorce. The universe has a way of balancing things out like that, though divorce itself has not always been an equitable outcome.

Throughout most of recorded history, divorce has favored the male half of the population, casting a negative light over the female half if proceedings are undergone. In recent years, it can be argued that men have been given the short end of the stick, as most alimony and child support costs are borne by them while simultaneously restricting their access to their children.

Equitable outcomes are always desired, and divorce court is often incapable of providing such outcomes. Lawyers play a game that allows them to suck as much excess value out of their clients as possible, rather than reaching a settlement that benefits both parties.

To skirt this issue, there is an alternative to divorce court that, while it doesn’t leave everyone happy, it does have a higher chance at providing an equitable outcome. That alternative is mediation, where a neutral third party discusses the issue with the aggrieved parties and brings the issue to a settlement that both can agree to.

If you are in Orange County and are in need of divorce mediation specialists, look no farther than McNamee Mediations, a local Santa ana firm that specializes in divorce mediations for both complex and convoluted cases, and those that are more straight forward. The firm has been providing divorcing couples with more equitable outcomes for decades, and their long list of glowing testimonials points to their skills in this regard.

Katerina Hencova has sent many of her clients facing divorce to the firm, and has gotten nothing but positive feedback from them:

“As a financial planner, I see my clients go through a number of changes in their lives and sometimes it includes a separation/divorce. Mediation is the far better option when dissolving a marriage as it puts a lot less strain not only on the finances but also the emotions of everyone involved. This is where Colleen McNamee stands out. As an attorney-mediator, she is extremely knowledgeable in her field, has two decades of experience, but also truly cares about her clients. Something that cannot be taught in law school is the gift of empathy and caring for others, which translates into achieving fair and equitable results for couples. Thanks to her very strong skill set and the services she’s able to offer, she remains a neutral counsel to both parties throughout the process, and the Agreements she drafts are far superior to any other divorce mediator I have seen! My clients have come out feeling like they were treated fairly, received their equitable shares, and can now move forward with their lives onto their next chapters.”

Katerina Hencova, Google Review

Lisa Nguyen, a client, has gone through with her divorce and her experience left some positive impressions on her:

“If there is such thing as a Divorce Angel, then Colleen McNamee is it. More than an attorney with so much experience in family law, I believe Colleen’s life purpose is to mitigate as much pain as possible for the divorce couple. Having gone through a divorce, I am so thankful that we each didn’t have our own lawyer. If you have young children like I do, you must consider mediation as your first option. Colleen will address every concerns and legal ramifications and will make sure both parties feel heard and fairly treated. She gives couples a chance for a more successful co-parenting relationship. Do yourself a favor and reach out to her first before hiring an attorney.”

Lisa Nguyen, Google Review

Not all divorces end acrimoniously, and the tendencies of divorce court may force a more negative relationship with your previous spouse than you intend to. If you want a more equitable separation that leaves your friendly relationship with your spouse intact, contact McNamee Mediations:

McNamee Mediations

+19492233836

4590 MacArthur Blvd Suite 500, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Why Can’t We Just Meet In The Middle?

Why Can’t We Just Meet In The Middle?

No one imagines that their marriage will end in divorce, and when it does happen, most pray and hope that their divorce will be seamless. Why not just split assets evenly and amicably? After all, isn’t heartbreak painful enough to endure? Why add more difficulty to the situation?

But why does it seem impossible to meet in the middle? Unfortunately, the process of separation often becomes more combative than procedural. Lovers turn into enemies; a relationship that began as the art of seduction ends as the art of war. As the old adage goes, “Love and hate are one in the same coin.”

We’ve all heard of funny or horrific stories of parties acting out of spite or pettiness during divorce litigation. As we listen, we wonder how grown adults come to behave so childishly, in an effort to make someone they once loved now feel bad.

What if you find yourself in a divorce where you cannot agree on anything with your soon-to-be-former spouse? You might be embarrassed to admit to family and friends that matters have become tedious.

In the United States, the average divorce costs $15,000 in legal fees, and couples tend to separate more during the holiday and new year season. For those looking for a fresh start in life without the hefty price tag, more and more couples are looking for more cost-efficient ways to cut the cord. Our investigative reporter Jacques Godiva spoke with legal expert Alice Donovan to learn about an alternative to litigation. “In my opinion and experience, litigation requires more time, energy, and money than what most people anticipate. Couples rarely come away from the process feeling like each got what they deserved on fair terms.” Donovan recommends that couples consider mediation. “Mediation is the facilitation of negotiation and resolution by a neutral third party. The meditator helps the couple navigate toward an informed settlement that is privately agreed upon by the family members, rather than publicly in front of a judge.”

We reviewed several divorce mediation firms based in Orange County and were so pleased to find McNamee Mediations that we decided to highlight them here. Mediation specialist Colleen McNamee has a stellar track record and one of the best Yelp reviewed profiles we have ever come across. One of the many five-star reviewers explains how mediating through Colleen had been the best decision she made throughout her divorce:

“I learned that I could a) hire a lawyer, (and he hire a lawyer) and we go through litigation in a very public court room setting with the risk of a bitter fight and be completely drained financially with money we really don’t have, or b) find a good mediator and dissolve the marriage amicably, peacefully and as budget friendly as possible.  I looked everywhere – and found a couple mediators, but none that were as responsive, capable, knowledgeable, calm and professional as Colleen.  I cannot speak highly enough about her.  She is on top of every single detail.”

Photo of McNamee Mediations - Irvine, CA, United States. 2016 Top Legal Power Players in O.C.

If you are considering a divorce through a family law attorney but want to first explore your other options, you can give McNamee Mediations a call.

McNamee Mediations
4590 MacArthur Blvd #500, Newport Beach, CA 92660, United States