Mediation gives both parties the opportunity to work through support together, with the help of a neutral mediator rather than leaving the outcome to a judge. The result is an agreement both parties had a hand in creating — which means it's more likely to hold up and less likely to require future court intervention.

California's child support guidelines are formula-driven, based on each parent's income and the amount of time spent with each child. But the inputs to that formula — income, deductions, health insurance, retirement contributions — are frequently in dispute. Marla brings 25+ years of family law experience to these conversations, helping both parties work through the numbers clearly and reach an agreement that reflects reality. 

Child support is one of several issues commonly resolved through divorce mediation — often in the same process as custody and property division.

Spousal support depends on factors including the length of the marriage, each party's earning ability, age and health, and the lifestyle established during the marriage. In mediation, you and your spouse negotiate these terms directly — rather than asking a judge to decide. Marla guides both parties through the relevant factors and helps facilitate an agreement that works for both sides.

When one party is self-employed, owns a business, is unemployed, or earns variable income, determining accurate income can be complicated. Marla's background in family law and finance makes her well-suited to help both parties navigate these situations fairly.

Serving families in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, and Northern California. Schedule a free consultation today — call (707) 525-8800 or email Tidwell@perrylaw.net.