Lauren has been my attorney for the past 3 years and I could not be more pleased with how she (and the rest of her team) handled my case from beginning to end. Throughout this terribly trying experience (which included multiple hearings for divorce, custody, and child support disputes) my confidence in Lauren has never faltered and I was able to find comfort in the fact that she always had my and my daughter’s interests in mind. I was well informed, well prepared, and had clear expectations throughout the entire process, and I was never disappointed or surprised in court. I have already personally recommended her to one other person (who has retained her) and will do so to anyone who finds themselves in this difficult situation.
Start Your Marriage Together -
Not on Opposite Sides of the Table
A prenuptial agreement should reflect your shared values — not leave one of you feeling defeated before the wedding.
Prenuptial agreement mediation - california
The traditional prenup process can damage the very relationship it's meant to protect.
When each of you hires a separate attorney to “fight” for your interests, the process feels adversarial — right when you need to be building trust. There’s a better way.
The Traditional Prenup Process Flaws
Adversarial by Design
Separate litigation-focused attorneys negotiate against each other, turning a financial planning exercise into an emotional standoff.
Prohibitively Expensive
Two sets of attorney fees can run $5,000–$20,000 or more, creating stress before you've even said "I do."
Time-Consuming & Stressful
Back-and-forth negotiations can drag on for months, eating into the joy of your engagement.
Emotionally Costly
When one partner feels "lawyered against," the agreement — and the relationship — can start from a place of resentment.
You deserve an advocate for your agreement — not a referee for your conflict.
I’m Lauren Fair, a California family law attorney and mediator with over 18 years of experience helping couples navigate the most sensitive financial conversations of their lives.
I’ve seen what happens when the prenup process goes wrong — and I’ve dedicated my practice to making sure it doesn’t have to. As a neutral mediator, I work with both of you together, guiding you toward an agreement that you both genuinely understand and can stand behind.
- California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization— Certified Family Law Specialist
- Highly experienced in prenuptial agreements
- Trained in collaborative dispute resolution and mediation
The Prenup Mediation Process
Step 1: Schedule & Attend a Consultation
Schedule a time for us to meet briefly via Zoom with you and your spouse to discuss whether prenup mediation with us is right for you. You’ll understand exactly how the mediation process works and what to expect.
Step 2: Sign Agreement to Mediate & Make Payment
Once you’ve decided prenup mediation is right for you, to begin the mediation process, you will sign an Agreement to Mediate and make your first payment.
Step 3: Complete Financial Disclosures
Each party will complete the financial disclosures required under California law as part of the prenup process.
Step 4: Participate in Guided Negotiation Sessions
In a series of structured sessions, I guide you both through the key topics: property division, debt allocation, support provisions, and any special circumstances. No ambushes. No surprises.
Step 5: Agreement & Independent Review
Once you’ve reached consensus, I draft the agreement. Each of you then reviews it with your own independent counsel — ensuring enforceability and your full peace of mind.
Step 6: Finalize & Sign Agreement
Under California law, once the final draft of the prenup is agreed upon by both parties, there is a 7-day waiting period before the agreement can be signed. Once the waiting period has concluded, the agreement is signed by both parties before the legal marriage takes place.
The path you choose now shapes how you begin — and if necessary, how you end — your marriage.
Without Mediation
- One partner feels "lawyered against"
- Agreement signed under pressure or resentment
- Double attorney fees strain pre-wedding budgets
- Financial disclosures feel like surveillance
- Vulnerable to challenge if process wasn't balanced
With Mediation
- Both partners feel heard and respected
- Agreement reflects your actual shared values
- Full transparency builds lasting trust
- Stronger enforceability through fair process
- Prenup designed to support the marriage
What Our Clients Are Saying
Lauren has been my attorney for the past 3 years and I could not be more pleased with how she and her team handled my case from beginning to end.
Peter Hudack
Divorce is difficult as it is so having a great lawyer helping you makes a big difference.
I felt very much at ease when approaching Lauren Fair Cadora to help me with my divorce. She explained things so I could understand. I was able to contact her with any questions or concerns at any time. Divorce is difficult as it is so having a great lawyer helping you makes a big difference.
Patti Koch
Lauren Fair has been an amazing lawyer. She is attentive, knowledgeable, compassionate, hard working, and an amazing advocate to have on my side.
Lauren Fair has been an amazing lawyer. She is attentive, knowledgeable, compassionate, hard working, and an amazing advocate to have on my side. I feel lucky to have her through this difficult time and trust in her judgment completely. Her expertise and attention to detail is astonishing. I would recommend Lauren to anyone who needs a supportive and strong lawyer on their side!
Robynn Cavaliere
I worked with Lauren Fair and her staff for over a year and a half. The entire time they were responsive, professional, honest and very informative.
I worked with Lauren Fair and her staff for over a year and a half. The entire time they were responsive, professional, honest and very informative. Lauren walked me through the entire process step by step. When a court date or decision needed to be made. She was honest and prepared me for all the scenarios. Her knowledge and commitment to her work shows. I always received timely responses from her and all staff members. I can not thank them enough for all they did for me. I am now divorced and was granted an out of state move away. I highly recommend Lauren Fair. She truly cares about her clients and their best interest.
Desiree P.
I'm so grateful to Kevin and his entire team for the tireless work they put into my case. Kevin is a fantastic attorney, very knowledgeable, results driven, and compassionate.
Having never been through any type of legal proceeding prior to this experience, I learned quickly that having the right attorney behind you makes a world of difference. I’m so grateful to Kevin and his entire team for the tireless work they put into my case. Kevin is a fantastic attorney, very knowledgeable, results driven, and compassionate. He took the time to explain each step of the process to me, to discuss different possible outcomes, to share his expert opinion, but always allow me to make the best decisions for my situation. I was terrified going into this process but always felt confident with Kevin as my attorney. Fair Cadora is a wonderful firm to work with.
Erin
The moment I went into consultation with Lauren I felt at ease and relieved that finally someone is willing to listen and understand.
This review is long overdue. I am very thankful to Lauren Fair. I was her client back in 2012. I was having a difficult time with my daughter’s father but the moment I went into consultation with her I felt at ease and relieved that finally someone is willing to listen and understand. I didn’t have much money, I even lost my apartment in order to retain her services. My child and I were legit homeless. She is compassionate and willing to go out and above for her client. I am truly grateful. She got it done in one go. No headache or mess for me. I had a smooth experience. Thank you Lauren.
Grace Aula
Common Questions
Do we still need separate attorneys?
Yes — and this is actually a feature, not a bug. After we reach your agreement in mediation, I strongly recommend that each of you have your own independent attorney review the final document. This protects enforceability and ensures you each have independent legal advice. The difference: those attorneys review a finished agreement instead of battling each other throughout the process.
How is this different from using one attorney together?
An attorney can only represent one party — and cannot ethically advise you both. As a mediator, I am a neutral. I don’t represent either party, but I help you both reach a fair, informed, and legally sound agreement together.
What if we have very different financial situations?
Power imbalances and significant asset differences are exactly the situations where skilled mediation matters most. Part of my role is to ensure the process remains balanced and that both parties understand what they are agreeing to. If a situation requires specialized legal guidance beyond the mediation scope, I will tell you directly.
How long does the process take?
Most couples complete the mediation process in 3–5 sessions over 4–8 weeks — considerably faster than a traditional dual-attorney negotiation. Timeline depends on the complexity of your financial picture and how quickly you can gather disclosure documents.
How much does it cost?
Fees are based on an hourly rate and the complexity of your agreement. Most couples find the total mediation cost — even before adding the independent review attorneys — is substantially less than a traditional dual-representation approach. We’ll discuss a realistic estimate during your consultation.
Your marriage deserves to
begin as a partnership.
Schedule a confidential consultation to learn whether prenuptial mediation is right for your situation.