In California, you are not required to hire a lawyer to get a divorce. However, while it is possible to navigate the divorce process without a lawyer, it’s important to recognize that divorce can involve complex legal issues, especially regarding property division, child custody, child support, and spousal support. Hiring a qualified divorce attorney can be very advantageous.

Every divorce is unique, and the steps you take will depend on your individual situation and priorities. Here are some initial steps to consider:

• Consult with divorce coaches.
• Consult with attorneys.
• Gather all of your financial documents including bank statements, tax returns, pay stubs, investment statements, retirement account statements, property deeds, and any other relevant financial records.

Working with a knowledgeable divorce coach or divorce attorney in the beginning can help you navigate the process more smoothly and protect your rights and interests along the way.

While both a divorce coach and a therapist offer support during divorce, they serve different roles. A divorce coach provides practical guidance, emotional support, and strategies for navigating the divorce process, focusing on issues such as decision-making, communication, and co-parenting. They offer clarity and empowerment to help you make informed choices and manage the challenges of divorce effectively.

In contrast, a therapist delves into deeper emotional issues, past traumas, and relationship dynamics, aiming to promote emotional healing, personal growth, and mental well-being. They address underlying psychological issues and help you navigate the emotional impact of divorce, fostering self-awareness and resilience.

A divorce coach specializes in providing emotional support, practical guidance, and strategic advice tailored to navigating the complexities of divorce. A divorce coach can help you manage the emotional rollercoaster of divorce, develop coping strategies, and maintain clarity and focus during negotiations or court proceedings. They can also assist in setting goals, making informed decisions, and communicating effectively with your spouse and other involved parties. With their support, you can navigate the divorce process with greater confidence, empowerment, and resilience, ultimately paving the way for a smoother transition to the next chapter of your life.

Legal separation is a legal process that allows a married couple to formalize their separation without actually ending their marriage. While it varies by jurisdiction, legal separation typically involves court proceedings where the couple can address important issues such as division of assets and debts, child custody, child support, and spousal support, similar to those in a divorce. Legal separation can provide a formal structure for couples who wish to live apart and address important legal and financial matters while maintaining their marital status.

Determining whether your marriage is over is a deeply personal and complex decision. At Zinnia, we have developed a set of tools to help you formulate and process the answers to your questions.

Our pricing is dependent upon many factors and varies by service. Please schedule a call to discuss pricing that is specific to your needs.

We have a number of trained professionals who are experts in their respective fields, such as coaches and mediators. We also have a vetted list of references to help you find the resources (ie: lawyer, counselor) you will need to have the most successful outcome.

Zinnia provides a number of services. This includes – coaching, mediation, workshops and support through community.

Zinnia is a community center where people going through a difficult relationship transition can find support and services.

An attorney is an advocate who represents their client’s best interests, gives legal advice, and will fight for their client’s interests. A mediator cannot give legal advice as they serve as a neutral. Should you choose to hire an attorney, we can work with your lawyers to help you through the divorce mediation process. If cost savings is a goal for your mediation, not having your attorneys attend the mediation sessions can address that need. However, we suggest you not sign any agreements until you review them with your attorneys.

The divorce mediation process is customizable to your schedule. We meet in our office or over Zoom. Each session will be approximately two hours in length over multiple sessions until all matters relating to your situation are discussed and resolved.

On average, divorce mediation in the Bay Area can range from $3,000 to $7,000 or more, depending upon the complexity of the issues involved. This is in contrast to the cost of a litigated divorce. As of January 2022, the average cost of a litigated divorce in the Bay Area was estimated to range from $15,000 to $30,000 or more.

If you feel like your lawyer isn’t listening to you or operating in a manner that resonates with you, it will behoove you to get to the root of the problem. There are likely many reasons for this disconnect. Working with a divorce coach to better understand your priorities will help make your discussions with your lawyer much more efficient.

There are many reasons a divorce can seem to drag on, but the primary reason is because the two parties can not come to an agreement. If this is the case, it is helpful to understand what role your and your spouse’s support team is playing in prolonging the process. Shining a spotlight on one particular participant or one particular issue can help bring resolution so the process can move forward.