Carlsbad & North County Divorce Mediation
Attorney-led mediation for Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas and North County families
I help couples in Carlsbad and across North County settle their divorce together, without a court fight. I work with both of you as a neutral attorney-mediator, covering the legal, financial and parenting decisions, and I draft your agreement. I grew up in San Diego and have longstanding ties to North County.
California attorney since 2004 · 2,500+ mediations · Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®)
What we work through
The house and buyouts
For many North County couples the home is the largest asset. Keeping it often means one spouse refinancing on one income. As a CDFA® I model a sale, a buyout and a period of co-ownership side by side, so you can compare them before anyone commits. How a house buyout works.
Military families
When one spouse serves, whether at Camp Pendleton or elsewhere, the military retirement, the Survivor Benefit Plan, the 10/10 rule for direct DFAS payment and the 20/20/20 rule for a former spouse’s benefits all need careful drafting. So does a parenting plan that can survive a PCS move. Military divorce mediation.
Pensions and 401(k)s
After a long marriage the retirement accounts often matter more than either paycheck. I help you value the community share and choose how to divide it, with the tradeoffs in numbers you can compare.
Support with variable income
Guideline child support, and temporary spousal support where it applies, depend on the income figures that go into the calculation. Commission, bonuses, self-employment and RSUs make those harder to pin down. I show you both the inputs and how the result changes, so you negotiate from one set of numbers. Longer-term spousal support isn’t set by that formula; it depends on factors such as the length of the marriage and each spouse’s earning capacity, which we work through separately.
Parenting plans
When the parenting schedule is the hard part, Mary Levin, a Co-Parenting Specialist®, can join as co-mediator. Mary focuses on schedules, communication and how two homes will run for your children. I cover the legal and financial side, in one process. Learn about co-mediation.
What Clients Say
285+ five-star reviews across Google, Yelp, Avvo and Facebook combined.
Scott is an incredible mediator who is not only skilled at providing you with information about your legal rights, but is equally a patient and caring human. Scott will help guide you from the initial steps to the…
Scott is an incredible mediator who is not only skilled at providing you with information about your legal rights, but is equally a patient and caring human. Scott will help guide you from the initial steps to the very end. Having him as our mediator really helped us sift through every part of the divorce agreement in a way that was easy to understand and digest. If you’re in this unfortunate position, Scott’s knowledge and guidance will help make it a little easier.
How the process works
I guide the whole process as a neutral for both of you. I provide and review the financial disclosure forms; you each complete and exchange your own disclosures. I facilitate our meetings, draft and revise the marital settlement agreement, open the case when needed, and prepare and submit the agreed judgment paperwork. More about divorce mediation in San Diego.
In most cases the judge approves an agreed judgment without either of you appearing. If your case is likely to need an appearance, I’ll tell you at the start.
Where North County cases are filed
Cases from most North County ZIP codes, including Carlsbad, Oceanside, Camp Pendleton (92055), Encinitas, Leucadia, Vista, Escondido, San Marcos, Solana Beach, Cardiff and Rancho Santa Fe, are ordinarily filed at the Superior Court’s North County Division, 325 S. Melrose Drive, Vista.
Some communities nearby are assigned elsewhere. Del Mar (92014) and Rancho Bernardo (92127, 92128) are Central Division, downtown. Certain matters, including those involving the disposition of embryos, surrogacy or the Department of Child Support Services, also go to Central.
Generally, at least one spouse must have lived in California for six months and in the county for three months before filing for divorce. I confirm filing and jurisdiction requirements at intake.
California also requires at least six months before marital status can end. When that period starts depends on how the case is filed (with a joint petition, for example, it runs from filing), and I’ll explain which applies to you.
Why I practice this way
Earlier in my career I represented clients in court. I saw how often litigation deepened conflict and drained what a family had built, and that is why I focus on mediation.
Today I help couples resolve their divorce outside the courtroom. I don’t represent clients in contested litigation.
As your mediator I’m neutral and don’t represent either of you individually. You’re each welcome to have your own attorney review the agreement.
If you want advice for only one spouse, I also work separately as a consulting attorney, after a conflict check. I can’t mediate and advise one side in the same case.
Flat-fee mediation
My mediation packages are flat-fee, with a defined scope. Before you commit, I explain what the package includes and what it doesn’t. If you need more sessions or services beyond that scope, I tell you before that work begins.
Some cases require a separate retirement division order or help from an appraiser, business valuator or tax advisor. My written agreement explains the scope of my mediation services. If additional work is needed, we discuss how it will be arranged and any additional fees before proceeding.
We can meet at my office at 9820 Willow Creek Road, Suite 410, San Diego, by Zoom, or a mix of both.
Common questions
Will we have to go to court?
Mediation is designed to resolve the issues without contested hearings. In most cases the judge approves the agreed judgment on the paperwork. I can’t promise an appearance will never be needed, but I’ll tell you early if one is likely.
We don’t agree on much yet. Is it too early?
No. Working through disagreements is what mediation is for. It does need both of you to take part and share complete financial information.
My spouse already has a lawyer. Can we still mediate?
Often, yes. Many couples mediate while one or both consult their own attorneys.
Can we work entirely by Zoom?
Yes. You can do some or all of your sessions by Zoom, or meet at my San Diego office.
Talk it through first
A free consultation is a chance to ask questions and see whether mediation fits. Call 858-293-1410 or schedule online.