Divorce Mediation in Alameda, California

Mission Statement

"East Bay Mediation Services. Dr. Robert Doerr specializes in both divorce mediation and family issues mediation. He serves the San Francisco Bay Area. He is a certified mediator and is a PhD psychologist. Sessions are in-person or by phone-conference."

Call (510) 522-5598 today!

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East Bay Mediation Services

Key Contacts

Robert D. Doerr Ph.d.

Director Of East Bay Mediation Services. dr.robertddoerr@yahoo.com

1) Divorce & Family Issues Mediation

My mediation practice in a nutshell:

• I provide divorce mediation and family issues mediation to clients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
• You can come to my home in Alameda for mediation sessions or we can do them by conference call: 510-522-5598.
• All ethnicities and LGBTQ community welcome.
• I offer a free 30 minute telephone consultation to explore how we can work together.
• I am a certified mediator with 20 years experience.
• I have a PhD in Humanist Psychology and have a deep understanding of conflict resolution and negotiation.
• In our mediation sessions, I will collaborate with you in an understanding, respectful, problem-solving manner regardless of how complex or difficult the issues.

How to Schedule a Mediation Session

Call me for a free telephone consultation at 510-522-5598. After the consultation, if you want to proceed, we will schedule a mediation session.

I serve clients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, California. We can meet in my home or via conference-call. Hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Evening and weekend appointments are available as needed.

Fees are charged at an hourly rate. No retainer required. Reduced fees available for those who qualify. To send me an email, go to the Contact Us page.

All ethnicities and LGBTQ community welcome.

I look forward to working with you to create a settlement that is fair and equitable for all parties.

2) Divorce Mediation

(Including domestic partnership termination, legal separation, prenuptial agreements.)

We will work together to create a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by both parties. For divorce, the MOU contains the divorce settlement information required by the Superior Court. You can then give the MOU to an attorney, document preparer, or other desired party to proceed with your divorce.

Here are some of the topics we will address in the MOU:

Maintenance

• Spousal support (alimony)
• Child support
• Child custody
• Child visitation
• Children's ongoing psychological welfare

Real and physical community property

• Real estate ownership
• Property division
• Reimbursements, mutual debts and liabilities
• Capital gains/rollovers, division of business
• Pension and retirement benefits
• Tax considerations in separation and divorce
• Pet custody

Online Divorce Firms?

Online divorce firms are growing in popularity. Before using their services, these firms typically require that you have resolved all conflicts associated with your divorce settlement. They also require that you have correctly identified and gathered all the maintenance, financial, and property information required for the divorce settlement.

Divorce mediation is a practical and effective way to get this done and professionally reviewed prior to using an online divorce firm.

3) Family Issues Mediation

When possible, all affected family members should participate in the mediation process. We will work together to create a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU will define the family issues and will contain details on how each issue was resolved. All affected family members sign the MOU.

The MOU does not replace or nullify family documents such as Wills or Trusts. Rather, MOUs are frequently used to guide the creation or modification of these types of documents. MOUs are also frequently used to resolve issues regarding family communication and family roles.

Here are examples of common family mediation issues:

• Post-divorce modification of settlement agreements. For example: spousal and child maintenance, child visitation, property distribution.
• In cases involving children, mediation focuses on their best interests, allowing the family to create parenting plans that prioritize the needs of the children.
• Issues regarding role of adult siblings, grandparents, and other adult family members in child well-being.
• Issues regarding care and well-being of elder family members. For example, living arrangements, medical decisions, financial management, guardianship, division of care responsibilities among siblings.
• Issues regarding an elder’s estate planning, Will interpretation, creation of estate trusts, designating estate executor(s).
• Issues among siblings regarding management and disposition of family property owned in common.
• Breakdown of family communication. For example, helping blended families resolve issues such as establishing new roles and boundaries, resolving conflicts between step-siblings, and managing differences in parenting styles.

4) Why Mediation Is A Good Choice

Mediation is a voluntary settlement process which provides a win-win alternative to the adversarial legal system. It is collaborative, issue-oriented, and practical.

An impartial mediator helps the parties clarify their disputes, determine their needs and interests, consider settlement options, and reach fair agreements. Signed memorandums of understanding are created as needed.

Mediation is effective even when conflict and anger are intense and communication has broken down.

Mediation gives participants more control over the process and the outcomes:

• Mutually acceptable results.
• Less stressful than litigation.
• Economical.
• Relatively fast process compared to legal action.
• Reduces bitterness and distrust.
• Helps improve communication.
• Produces a higher settlement rate.
• Is more flexible than litigation.
• Is confidential.

5) Client Reviews

"I am so thankful to Dr. Doerr. Divorce is a not just a legal process it is extremely emotional and painful separation. I looked around and found no other mediation firm that had an individual like Dr. Doerr. One who not only understands all legal requirements but also possess a PHD in Psychology which allowed him to understand and work with the strong emotions we brought to the the process. He has made an extremely difficult time in my life much better. I am so grateful for his compassion and diligence to the issues that affected my wife and I's final agreement. Thank you again Dr. Doerr." Craig B., Livermore, CA.

"Dr. Doerr was a pleasure to work with! He was direct in his communication. I worked with him on a personal mediation case. He recommended an appropriate lawyer. Overall, he was accommodating to various needs of all the parties involved. He was able to resolve most of the issues in just one session." Tushar D., Mountain View, CA.

"As stressful as this entire ordeal has been, Dr. Doerr had the ability to effectively navigate us through the disputes we were having with integrity and fairness. He is a seasoned mediator with a wealth of knowledge and is highly recommended. Kimberly T. Fremont

"I needed a mediator and found him. He is amazing. He met with me and the other party and after several meetings, all was complete. He made me feel safe in dealing with the other person, who I felt threatened by, created emotional and physical safety for me. Once referred to the attorney who prepared the documents and filed with the Courts the whole process took about 9 months. Mediation began late September and I received a Court judgment mid May of the next year. My heart is at peace. My mind is clear and I need not look back... only to refer others to him! A kind and thoughtful and professional person." Colette K., San Leandro, CA

“Dr. Doerr successfully reduced the overwhelm in our divorce process. Very professional. Five stars!” Bruce R., El Cerrito, CA.

“It was a very humane and creative process. We overcame potential road blocks smoothly.” Ms. Gail W., Oakland, CA.

“We resolved ten issues in two sessions. The child custody and child support were skillfully mediated.” Thomas T. and Myrna T., Alameda, CA.

“My former partner and I saved a lot of heartache and money. Dr. Doerr’s psychology background really helped. Highly recommended.” Dr. Robert L., Oakland, CA.

“Our memorandum of understanding, as complex as it was, has survived over the years. If you are willing to sit down and talk, his skills and style will get you through the process.” Saul B., Livermore, CA.

“Surprisingly, both of us are attorneys. This alternative method was almost laser-like, resolving some major issues in two sessions.” Michael C., Albany, CA.

“He skillfully crafted a same-gender (gay) divorce memorandum of understanding. The child custody issue though tough was finally resolved. Fine job!” Tina J., Berkeley, CA.

Service Locations

Divorce Mediation Alameda  -  Family Communication Alameda  -  Family Mediator Alameda
Divorce Mediator Alameda  -  Divorce Settlement Alameda  -  Marital Settlement Alameda

Citations

East Bay Mediation Services Photo Gallery
Updated as of 4/11/2024

Contact Information

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