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Remember when Katy Perry and Russell Brand got married?  It was funny, sexy-cute girl meets funny-fanatical guy.  Their union took many by surprise and people everywhere began to fall in love with the idea of them as a couple, a very different couple.  Both equally admired by many everywhere, their marriage didn’t last very long, but when many thought their divorce might take a turn for the worst, they handled it fairly well and in a very short time.

Katy Perry and Russell Brand - Amicably Split!

Only 40 days and Katy and Russell were officially divorced.  How did they do it?  Many can learn from their very grown-up approach to splitting up.  The key to separating quickly, if two people are lucky enough to not be in a very upsetting and troubling situation is to take notes from Perry vs. Brand:

• They did not have a pre-nupital agreement
• They did not seek out high-profile attorneys to represent them
• They did not ridicule each other in public or in the media
• They worked out their divorce settlement together, resolving all of the financial terms of their marriage and separation
• Brand was entitled to 50% of Katy’s $44 Million in earnings, but he did not exercise his community rights

Given that their separation was as drama-free as it can be in Hollywood and among the L.A. crowd, we think they had many private conversations and sought the guidance of a mediator.  It’s not often that you see a high-profile break up like this go so well, especially when millions of dollars are at stake, but no matter what the situation, mediation can always help to make the transition much easier than traditional divorce.

We wish the best for Ms. Perry and Mr. Brand - keep the great music and movies coming!

The first gay couple to get married in California are sadly divorcing. Robin Tyler filed for a divorce from her long-time partner Diane Olson on Jan. 25. They had been together for 18 years and married in June of 2008 when it was legal for a short period to get married in California.

Robin Tyler and Diane Olson were the first married gay couple in California are getting a divorce

While it is disheartening to see two people who made history split up, the U.S. News reported this past summer that the states where gay marriage is legal have a lower divorce rate in both same-sex and different-sex unions. Gay marriages are less likely to end in divorce than straight unions, which is an ever greater reason for gay marriage to be legal and accepted everywhere.

It is unfortunate that Tyler and Olson, one of the same-sex couples who challenged California’s Prop 8 in court just filed for divorce, only weeks before a federal court deemed the state’s ban on gay marriage unconstitutional. In any case, they have gone through some of the same things any straight couple would and marriage and divorce should be just as easy for them and any other gay couple.

A Fair Way Mediation wishes them the best as they divorce and hope they are able to split amicably, as divorce is never easy, and we always support long, loving marriages but we also know the reality that sometimes forever doesn’t always happen.

If you are considering divorce, ask us about mediation first and take our free evaluation:http://afairway.com/free-evaluation

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Celine C. Callahan, CA 9/24/2011

“Rich Gordon was extremely helpful as he really facilitated my ex-husband and I sort through our separation, preventing some of the stress associated with this very bad situation. It also prevented us to spend a lot more money that we would have if we had taken two separates lawyers. Rick was fair and never showed any preferences, making us agree on reasonable decisions that were pertaining to our situation.  The divorce papers were filed quickly. During this difficult period, Rich were sensitive and passionate as well, which helped me going through his difficult period”

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L S. 10/15/2011

“Rich Gordon provided excellent service for me and my ex.

He met with us and thoroughly explained the process, handled the paperwork efficiently and professionally, and contacted us as needed via phone and email. He helped us as we completed the documents and took care of all the court filings and other requirements as promised, and on time so the process was done by the end of the year.

His fees were fair. The work was done efficiently and as anticipated by both of us.

I highly recommend A Fair Way Mediation Center for couples who want to end their marriage with as little trouble and cost as possible, and need help to work out their property and other issues. Rich did a great job, as promised, on time and at a reasonable price”

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