About The Divorce-Help Clinic™
Testimonials
As an expert quoted in Forbes Magazine and a divorce writer for The Huffington Post, The Divorce-Help Clinic™ caters to all-things-divorce. We offer 4 primary services:
- Divorce Planning
If you are one of the 50-68% who decide to leave your marriage, we help you strategize the most effective way out. - Divorce Mediation
We are a full service mediation firm and do everything from filing your divorce petition, serving your spouse, assisting you and your spouse to make decisions on support, division of finances, debt as well as custody and visitation. In addition, we complete the legal documentation, notarize the final Marital Settlement Agreement and file everything with the court. Best of all, you never have to go to court. - Divorce Paperwork (Do-it-yourself Divorce)
If you and your spouse agree on the details of your divorce and do not need someone to mediate the details, this service is the way to go. Not only will it save you money, the paperwork will get done correctly the first time, saving you the unnecessary hassle of dealing with the court. - Marriage Mediation If you are contemplating divorce, you need our help. We provide either a non-counseling approach to save your marriage from divorce using mediation techniques or, a marital closure meeting.
Company Overview
The Divorce Help Clinic offices opened in 2000 after the release of my second book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Romance (Macmillan Publishing). While I expected the book to bring in couples who wanted to strengthen their relationships, the opposite was the case--most wanted a divorce. Being a mediator already, I began getting trained in divorce mediation to help people to arrive at the best Marital Settlement Agreement.
Professional Divorce Mediator Qualifications: All of the mediators at The Divorce Help Clinic have their law degrees, strong experience in family law, are Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) and have specific training in DIVORCE mediation. These are three qualities that make us stand out against our competitors.
Expanded Services: Divorce Mediation, Do-it-yourself-Divorce, Family Court Mediation Coaching, Divorce Planning, Domestic Partnership & Dissolution. You name it, we have it. We pride ourselves on integrity, confidentiality and free bonus services to our clients (support group, parent class). We take care of you as well as your whole family.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations
- San Diego County Bar Association, Family Law Chapter
- Academy of Professional Mediators (Founding Member)
- Institute of Divorce Financial Analysts
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (Current President)
- Many others
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Consulting Attorney for The Divorce Help Clinic
We have a consulting licensed Family Law Attorney for employees at The Divorce Help Clinic to regularly consult with as well as to keep everyone up to speed on new laws, mediation techniques and overall legal information and direction.
In cases that are unusually challenging, we have this Licensed Family Law Attorney come in as a "guest mediator" to aid in bringing reality into the room. He has been litigating the most difficult issues in the San Diego Family Courts for 16 years. He is very well versed in family law and is a no-nonsense, to the point, kind of guy. Do not expect anything except the cold hard truth and with that, you will find resolution.
Example of complicated mediation issues: The beauty of family law is that there is really only one way a court can divide an estate in California, 50/50. However, it can become complicated when the couple is trying to divide assets that are not the same (i.e., a 401k for the equity in the house).
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Divorce Mediators in San Diego (& Staff)
Nancy Fagan, Owner, The Divorce Help Clinic™
a.k.a. The Divorce Reporter
(858) 863-3380
E-Mail: Nancy@TheDivorceHelpClinic.com
Nancy Fagan, MS is the founder of The Divorce Help Clinic™ (divorce planning & divorce mediation services), a Huffington Post divorce writer, dubbed "The Divorce Reporter" and author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Romance" (Macmillan Publishing) and "Desirable Men: How to Find Them" (Prima Publishing). She received her mediation certification through the National Conflict Resolution Center—an organization founded by the University of San Diego Law Center and the San Diego County Bar Association. In addition, Ms. Fagan has attended countless divorce mediation training, dispute resolution, and most notably graduated the Mosten Mediation Institute.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy and has been working with conflicting couples since 1993. Her background provides a unique blend of knowledge and practical skills to achieve resolution of complex relationship issues, prevent litigation and preserves relationships. She is once-divorced.
Ms. Fagan is a nationally recognized divorce and relationship expert, the author of two books, and is considered a pioneer in the field of pre-divorce planning. She has been fondly dubbed "The Divorce Reporter" and has a strong presence on the Web as well as has appeared on countless radio and television shows such as ABC News, NBC News, CBS News, FOX News, Ricki Lake, Men are from Mars/Women are from Venus, The Berman & Berman Show and many others. Nancy has been featured in most major newspaper in the United States and worldwide as well as regularly mentioned as a relationship expert in the nation's top magazines such as Forbes, Ladies' Home Journal ('Can this Marriage be Saved?'), Redbook, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Men's Health, Bride's, Seventeen, Women's Day, Family Circle, Women's Own, BBW, Complete Women and dozens of others.
Jennifer M. Segura, J.D., CDFA
Divorce Mediator & Certified Divorce Financial Analyst
(858) 863-3380
E-Mail: Jen@TheDivorceHelpClinic.com
Jennifer M. Segura is the past president (2009) of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in San Diego. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelors Degree and continued on to graduate Cum Laude from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
After working at law firms that litigated family matters, Jennifer saw the emotional and financial destruction that resulted. She knew there must be a better way.
Jennifer's passion for family law was deeply rooted in her desire to assist families through the stressful event and help each party set a strong foundation to re-build the new family dynamic they were entering. After learning about mediation and the constructive process it offered families going through divorce, she began mediating family law issues and never looked back.
Jennifer has actively participated in a variety of family-related clubs such as The Family Law Club and The Gay, Lesbian and Transgendered Rights Club. She is once-divorced.
Larissa L. Lazarus, Esq.
Divorce Mediator
(858) 863-3380
Attorney Larissa L. Lazarus knows in family law, the best way is to take the gloves off, stepping out of the boxing ring and working toward a mutual resolution beneficial for all involved. After watching friends and family waste their precious time and money fighting through divorces, Larissa was naturally drawn to family law mediation. With her background as one of the top bankruptcy attorneys in San Diego, Larissa brings her experience dealing with family finances to the mediation table offering insight and options for her clients.
Larissa is an active member of the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, the San Diego County Bar Association, National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys and a selected member of the panel for the Southern District of San Diego Local Bankruptcy Rules Committee.
Larissa also teaches part-time as an Adjunct Professor for Southwestern College where she teaches paralegal courses. A lifelong animal lover, Larissa volunteers her time to a local dog rescue and fosters dogs.
Amanda D. Singer, JD
Divorce Mediator
(858) 863-3380
E-mail: Info@TheDivorceHelpClinic.com
Amanda Singer will be completing her Juris Doctorate (JD) at Chapman University School of Law in May. Simultaneously she is completing her Masters degree in Dispute Resolution (MDR) from The Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law. Both degrees have provided her a solid foundation in the law as well as training on Conflict Resolution skills.
During her time at Chapman, Amanda completed her mediation training and mediated cases in the Riverside Superior Court. She has mediated over 100 cases on a variety of issues including debt collection, civil harassment restraining order and small claims cases. Additionally, Amanda helped the Riverside Courts Alternative Dispute Resolution Office implement a Juvenile Mediation program in Juvenile Hall for the residents. She is also a member of Chapman’s Nexus Journal of Law & Policy and was in charge of planning and running a symposium on the Supreme Court’s recent healthcare decision.
While in law school, she interned with an organization in Los Angeles teaching peer mediation courses to high school students and at the North County Family Law Facilitators Office working with In Pro Per litigants, helping them with their family law issues.
Amanda began working at Divorce Help Clinic during the summer of 2012 and is devoted to assisting families in working together to complete their divorce and help maintain the family structure.
Outside of work Amanda is an avid runner, having completed three marathons and recently finished her first triathlon.
Licensed Family Law Attorney
Consulting Attorney for The Divorce Help Clinic
We have a consulting Licensed Family Law Attorney for employees at The Divorce Help Clinic to regularly consult with as well as to keep everyone up to speed on new laws, mediation techniques and overall legal information and direction.
In cases that are unusually challenging, we have this Licensed Family Law Attorney come in as a "guest mediator" to aid in bringing reality into the room. He has been litigating the most difficult issues in the San Diego Family Courts for 16 years. He is very well versed in family law and is a no-nonsense, to the point, kind of guy. Do not expect anything except the cold hard truth and with that, you will find resolution.
Example of complicated mediation issues: The beauty of family law is that there is really only one way a court can divide an estate in California, 50/50. However, it can become complicated when the couple is trying to divide assets that are not the same (i.e., a 401k for the equity in the house).
Sarah Lewis, Esq.
Trial Consultant
(858) 863-3380
Ms. Lewis holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a law degree from California Western School of Law, by way of the notable Creative Problem Solving Scholarship. While attending law school, she received the Distinguished Advocate Award as a result of her performance in trial advocacy competitions. As part of her education, Ms. Lewis studied mediation, dispute resolution, family law and negotiation. She is a member of the American Society of Trial Consultants and the San Diego County Bar Association and Young New Lawyers Division. Upon graduation from law school, Ms. Lewis worked as a consultant at an estate planning and asset protection firm as well as completed a position as a summer associate at a civil litigation firm in Utah.
Ms. Lewis volunteered as a member of the Hospital Response Team, a division of the Utah Domestic Violence Council. She completed a 200 hour domestic violence training course and has worked with women who have been the victims of domestic violence. She also volunteers as a mentor at The Jenna Druck Foundation and frequently participates in self-esteem building workshops for teenage girls.
Ms. Lewis worked at the Utah Attorney General's Office where she researched and wrote a grant aimed at helping women and children who were victims of domestic violence. She obtained a $900,000.00 Federal Grant, developed and implemented a plan to build and operate shelters for the women and children leaving abusive situations.
Brandon Sanchez
Social Media & IT
(858) 863-3380
E-mail: Info@TheDivorceHelpClinic.com
Brandon Sanchez is the newest addition to The Divorce Help Clinic. He graduated from Sonoma State University with a B.S. degree in business administration, with a concentration in marketing. Upon graduation he plans to attend graduate school in the Netherlands.
Bridget Fanning, CDPE, ASP, Broker
Divorce Real Estate Specialist
(858) 863-3380
E-mail: Info@TheDivorceHelpClinic.com
Bridget Fanning is a local real estate broker who has been in the business for over 10 years. She has a Masters in Business Administration with a focus on Entrepreneurship from San Diego State University, as well as an Degree in Business from the University of San Diego. She is a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) as well as an Accredited Staging Professional (ASP).
Bridget has been working with divorce clients for years. She focuses on working with all parties as a team to ensure a win-win for both clients. With buyers, her goal is to find the right house while negotiating the best possible terms for her client. With sellers, she is able to use her staging and negotiating experience to get homeowners the offer that they want. With short sales, Bridget focuses on getting the homeowner out of their situation so they can move on with their lives.
When she is not working, you can usually find her playing soccer or taking a zumba class.
Tess Armstrong
Marketing Associate
(858) 863-3380
E-mail: Info@TheDivorceHelpClinic.com
Tess Armstrong is is a second year college student at Mesa College working toward a B.S. degree in business marketing. Upon graduation she plans to attend law school to prepare for a career as a sport’s agent.
Ms. Armstrong began working toward her college degree while serving a 4-year term in the United States Air Force where she worked the job specialty in Command and Control. She was stationed two years in North Dakota, a 6-month tour of Iraq followed by 15 months in Turkey.
The Broken Heart of San Diego
Company Mascot
(858) 863-3380
E-mail: Info@TheDivorceHelpClinic.com
The "Broken Heart of San Diego" is making its way around town. When you see it, don't be shy. Come over and say hello, take a photo or get information about our divorce planning and divorce mediation services. See you soon!
