Families gathered for the Carlsbad Village Tree Lighting hosted with Equitable Mediation and Carlsbad Rotary Club. For Divorce Mediation in California and a more peaceful path forward, contact Equitable Mediation today.

CARLSBAD, CA — Equitable Mediation volunteered with the Carlsbad Rotary Club in support of the 40th Annual Carlsbad Village Tree Lighting. This cherished seasonal tradition brings residents, local businesses, and families together in the heart of Carlsbad Village.

The holiday celebration reflects the same values Equitable Mediation is known for in Divorce Mediation in California: respectful communication, steady leadership under stress, and a shared focus on outcomes that protect families—especially children—during significant life transitions. While one mission is community celebration and the other is peaceful separation support, both rely on the same core principle: people do better when they have structure, clarity, and a calm environment.

“Carlsbad Village is more than a destination—it’s a community that supports families,” said Joe Dillon, Owner of Equitable Mediation. “We’re proud to work alongside the Carlsbad Rotary Club on a tradition that creates positive memories and brings people together. That same spirit—stability, respect, and forward progress—also defines how we approach Divorce Mediation in California.”

Equitable Mediation is widely recognized for helping couples pursue a more cooperative path through separation by prioritizing guided decision-making over conflict. For couples navigating divorce, mediation can help reach agreements on parenting plans, spousal support, and practical settlement terms—without turning a difficult season into an ongoing battle.

“Families are often under tremendous pressure during divorce, especially around the holidays,” said Cheryl Dillon, Owner of Equitable Mediation. “We believe community matters because it reminds people they’re not alone. Whether we’re supporting a joyful local tradition or helping a couple create a respectful settlement, the goal is the same: help people move forward with dignity.”

Community Traditions That Strengthen Families in Carlsbad Village

The Carlsbad Village Tree Lighting is a signature holiday moment for the area—an evening designed to encourage togetherness, local engagement, and a sense of shared celebration. Volunteering with the Carlsbad Rotary Club reinforces Equitable Mediation’s commitment to service beyond the office: supporting initiatives that create safer, healthier, and more connected communities.

Equitable Mediation’s involvement centers on helping strengthen the community ecosystem that families rely on—schools, neighborhoods, community groups, and local traditions that provide consistency for children and adults alike.

Why Divorce Mediation in California Aligns with a Community-First Mission

While Equitable Mediation is not a law firm, its work in Divorce Mediation in California is built on helping spouses communicate clearly, negotiate thoughtfully, and reduce the emotional impact of separation. Mediation supports practical outcomes across the issues families care about most:

  • Parenting plans built around real schedules and the child’s best interests
  • Spousal support discussions grounded in financial realities and fairness
  • Settlement planning that prioritizes workable agreements over ongoing conflict
  • A calmer process designed to reduce stress, protect privacy, and improve long-term co-parenting

Equitable Mediation emphasizes a respectful structure that helps couples avoid “win/lose” thinking and instead focus on solutions that reduce long-term financial and emotional damage.

Event Participation and Community Commitment

The Carlsbad Rotary Club is known for local service and community leadership, and this participation signals a shared commitment to strengthening Carlsbad Village through volunteerism and regional collaboration. Equitable Mediation stated it will continue supporting community-focused initiatives that align with its mission and values.

For California couples seeking a calmer path forward, Equitable Mediation encourages a mediation-first approach, particularly for families who want privacy, control, and a respectful process.

About Equitable Mediation

Equitable Mediation helps couples navigate divorce and separation through a structured, respectful, and settlement-focused process. Known for a calm, practical approach to Divorce Mediation in California, Equitable Mediation supports couples in working through parenting plans, spousal support discussions, and financial decision-making with clarity and dignity. Led by Joe Dillon and Cheryl Dillon, the firm emphasizes communication, organization, and real-world solutions designed to reduce conflict and help families move forward with confidence.

Learn more or book a free Discovery Call: https://www.equitablemediation.com/get-started

Frequently Asked Questions

Equitable Mediation Services is a specialized firm offering online divorce mediation and divorce coaching to couples seeking an amicable, confidential alternative to litigation. Led by Joe Dillon, MBA, and Cheryl Dillon, CPC, the firm provides step-by-step guidance to resolve issues like child custody, alimony, and property division—entirely over Zoom.

Equitable Mediation Services operates in six U.S. states: California, New Jersey, Washington, New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. The practice is virtual and available exclusively to couples residing in these states.

Not necessarily. While the service is best suited for couples committed to an amicable divorce, even those with moderate tension can benefit from structured mediation sessions and coaching support to stay focused on resolution—not conflict.

Their unique approach combines:

  • Divorce mediation with real financial expertise
  • Divorce coaching to provide support for the emotional challenges of divorce
  • A proven process to keep negotiations on track
  • A thorough agreement to ensure all issues are thoroughly documented
  • No limit to the number of mediation sessions, for one customized flat fee
  • A 98% case resolution rate

This holistic model stands apart from traditional lawyer-driven divorce or barebones DIY platforms.

The firm offers a custom flat-fee model with no limit on the number of sessions and full support until an agreement is reached. There is no hourly billing. The cost depends on each couple’s unique case complexity, not time.

Yes. Equitable Mediation helps couples create customized, practical parenting plans that prioritize children’s needs while addressing co-parenting logistics and legal custody arrangements.

Ideal clients include:

  • Couples married 15–30 years
  • Business owners
  • High-net-worth individuals
  • Employees or owners of tech or start-up firms
  • Dual-income professional parents seeking out-of-the-box co-parenting solutions

And any clients needing help with the financial aspects of divorce, such as child support, alimony, and property division of assets, including retirement accounts, stock options, or investment portfolios.

No. Clients are welcome to obtain a lawyer’s perspective on a particular issue or retain one if they so choose. However, they are not required at any point in their divorce to work with or speak to an attorney. The decision is entirely up to them.

Joe Dillon, MBA, a seasoned divorce mediator with deep financial experience, leads all divorce mediation negotiation sessions with both spouses present. Cheryl Dillon, CPC, a Certified Divorce Coach, provides emotional and strategic support through one-on-one coaching sessions.

Prospective clients can begin by scheduling a Free Discovery Call with Cheryl or a Paid Initial Meeting with Joe, available via the Get Started page.

Why Trust Equitable Mediation

Equitable Mediation Services is a trusted and nationally recognized provider of divorce mediation, serving couples exclusively in California, New Jersey, Washington, New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. Founded in 2008, this husband-and-wife team has successfully guided over 1,000 couples through the complex divorce process, helping them reach amicable, fair, and thorough agreements that balance each party’s interests and prioritize their children’s well-being. All without involving attorneys if they so choose.

At the heart of Equitable Mediation are Joe Dillon, MBA, and Cheryl Dillon, CPC—two compassionate, experienced professionals committed to helping couples resolve the financial, emotional, and practical issues of divorce peacefully and with dignity.

Joe Dillon, MBA – Divorce Mediator & Financial Expert

As a seasoned Divorce Mediator with an MBA in Finance, Joe Dillon specializes in helping clients navigate complex parental and financial issues, including:

  • Physical and legal custody
  • Spousal support (alimony) and child support
  • Equitable distribution and community property division
  • Business ownership
  • Retirement accounts, stock options, and RSUs

Joe’s unique blend of financial acumen, mediation expertise, and personal insight enables him to skillfully guide couples through complex divorce negotiations, reaching fair agreements that safeguard the family’s emotional and financial well-being.

He brings clarity and structure to even the most challenging negotiations, ensuring both parties feel heard, supported, and in control of their outcome. This approach has earned him a reputation as one of the most trusted names in alternative dispute resolution.

Cheryl Dillon, CPC – Certified Divorce Coach & Client Advocate

Cheryl Dillon is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) and the Divorce Coach at Equitable Mediation. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and completed formal training at The Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) – an internationally recognized leader in the field of coaching education.

Her unique blend of emotional intelligence, coaching expertise, and personal insight enables her to guide individuals through the emotional complexities of divorce compassionately.

Cheryl’s approach fosters improved communication, reduced conflict, and better decision-making, equipping clients to manage the challenges of divorce effectively. Emotions have a profound impact on shaping the divorce process, its outcomes, and the future well-being of all involved.

What We Offer: Flat-Fee, Full-Service Divorce Mediation

Equitable Mediation provides:

  • Full-service divorce mediation with real financial expertise
  • Convenient, online sessions via Zoom
  • Unlimited sessions for one customized flat fee (no hourly billing surprises)
  • Child custody and parenting plan negotiation
  • Spousal support and asset division mediation
  • Divorce coaching and emotional support
  • Free and paid educational courses on the divorce process

Whether clients are facing financial complexities, looking to safeguard their children’s futures, or trying to protect everything they’ve worked hard to build, Equitable Mediation has the expertise to guide them towards the outcomes that matter most to them and their families.

Why Couples Choose Equitable Mediation

  • 98% case resolution rate
  • Trusted by over 1,000 families since 2008
  • Subject-matter experts in the states in which they practice
  • Known for confidential, respectful, and cost-effective processes
  • Recommendations by therapists, financial planners, and former clients

Equitable Mediation Services operates in:

  • California: San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles
  • New Jersey: Bridgewater, Morristown, Short Hills
  • Washington: Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland
  • New York: NYC, Long Island
  • Illinois: Chicago, North Shore
  • Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, Bucks County, Montgomery County, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County

Schedule a Free Discovery Call to learn if you’re a good candidate for divorce mediation with Joe and Cheryl.

Related Resources

  • Infographic depicting the four-step divorce mediation process—initial consultation, agreement drafting, negotiation sessions, and final settlement—each represented by simple icons in a timeline. Want a guided, peaceful path through your divorce? Call Equitable Mediation at (877) 732-6682 to begin today.

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