What once seemed ruinous and catastrophic is now being uplifted joyously and sometimes even humorously. Divorce has been reframed as “chic” and “having its moment.” 

Although divorce is not the outcome that people strive for when getting hitched, the reality is that a surprising number of marriages end in divorce. So while it isn’t necessarily the happy ending we culturally idealize, the reframing of divorce embraces that idea that the end of a significant life chapter is an opportunity to experience a new kind of happiness.

Marriage is traditionally viewed as a milestone of “having it together” in becoming a stable adult. In previous generations, many felt pressured to remain as spouses “til death do us part”—even if the typical day in their married life was messy or miserable. Back then, there seemed to be no real choice out of a doomed marriage: stay and tough it out, or separate but be labeled with the “divorcee” stigma for the rest of your life. 

Widely held beliefs have shifted. Many people now feel like they do have a choice. “Divorce” isn’t taboo anymore. It’s a choice that many people feel confident in making for themselves according to their own personal beliefs and morals, commonly shared by others experiencing similar life experiences. 

The internet has enabled millions of people to broadcast their ups and downs through life. Online discourse has helped raise awareness around issues of gender equality and mental health, issues that can affect anyone. People are more willing to share what they have learned through hard times, especially when it comes difficult subjects that center around relationship conflict.

Some of the keys in sustaining a healthy relationship, like clear boundaries and open communication, also apply to navigating a divorce with civility and conscientiousness. Family structures that involve single parenting and co-parenting have become more common and socially accepted. Cordiality between exes is even viewed by many as the ultimate display of maturity. 

Getting a divorce has never been traditionally easy. It’s a process that can rile up emotions as paperwork and legal fees stack up. To avoid the traditional divorce process, many, including high-net-worth individuals, are seeking divorce mediation. Instead of hiring lawyers and going to court with the possibility of things getting ugly, the couple meets with a divorce mediator to discuss their issues in private. The divorce mediator helps make the process smoother by facilitating discussions between the two people in a way that allows for each person to express themselves openly while the other person listens to what they have to say. The process allows parties to negotiate with one another directly, with each person having their say in finalizing the terms of their divorce settlement. 

Mediation helps cool things down a notch, which aligns with the new mindset on relationships and marriage. Why make anything harder than it needs to be? Across the country, especially in Orange County, people are discovering that conscious uncoupling is possible for them. The family law mediation process can help marriages end in harmony rather than hostility. 

After many years working in family law, you can say you have seen almost everything. The good, the bad, and the very, very ugly of humanity are put on display as couples go through one of the most stressful and emotional times in their lives.
This is often unfortunately amplified by the goading of their lawyers looking to score a higher commission or drawing out the process to charge for more billable hours. An otherwise amicable split of two people who have determined that they are simply not compatible turns into a hateful and deeply embittered fight to the bitter end.

One of the first things I tell any couple considering a divorce is to leave litigation as a final option if all else fails. There are many alternatives that may save the marriage or, failing that, create a peaceful post-marriage relationship in which a healthy family environment can be maintained for any children the marriage produced.
If the marriage is doomed and the couple want out of the relationship with as little damage as possible, the best option is to utilize the services of a divorce mediator. Mediators help the couple work together to create a divorce settlement that they can both be happy with, which requires a deft hand that can keep the discussion on track and on topic.
To these ends, you need a divorce mediator that is capable and experienced. In Orange County, the best option is enlisting the services of McNamee Mediations, a firm known for its responsiveness, conscientiousness, and the results it produces for clients. Don’t take it from me, take it from them:

Colleen is EXCEPTIONAL and amazing to work with. She is great at explaining things, particularly a process I knew nothing about previously, and makes it all digestible and the overall experience is comfortable and welcoming for everyone involved. She is very responsive, timely, ALWAYS comes prepared, and is compassionate. I highly recommend her! Definitely reach out! – Michael Sabogal, Google Review

I didn’t know what to expect as I was headed into uncharted territory and frankly scared and stressed out. Neither my ex-husband nor I wanted to waste money and time with attorneys so we searched for mediators. I came across Colleen and she had rave reviews. We were not disappointed, I couldn’t have felt luckier that I found her and hired her after just talking to her on the phone. She put my mind at ease and was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. The whole process went smoothly and quickly and Colleen even made a house call when my ex had an unexpected injury and we needed to have documents signed that day. I can’t thank Colleen enough and highly recommend her! – Beth Blower, Google Review

We highly recommend Colleen’s mediation services. Prior to our marriage, Colleen sat down with us to write a prenuptial agreement. We had both previously gone through divorces that were costly and unfair in distributing assets. During a time of great happiness, it can feel awkward to discuss finances and future distributions should divorce occur. However, Colleen made the experience a positive one as she helped us craft a prenuptial agreement we both felt was fair. This was important for each of us to feel secure coming into this new marriage. Colleen was gracious, kind and explained everything each step of the way. She is a true professional and her experience and character shone through! – Erin Augusta, Google Review

Like an especially destructive war, divorce can leave an inhospitable desert where once there was a meadow-but it doesn’t have to. Mediation can salvage a broken marriage and transform it into an amicable friendship. If you’re interested in learning some divorce mediation tips, give McNamee Mediations’ website a look. If you’d like a consultation, call their office:
McNamee Mediations
+19492233836
4590 MacArthur Blvd Suite 500, Newport Beach, CA 92660