California Mediation Services

An Alternative To Court Divorce

You are not giving up anything by engaging in mediation vs. going to court. Divorce mediation offers couples a welcome alternative to traditional adversarial court-based divorce, which typically involves unnecessary stress, conflict, delays and expense.

Working with a neutral attorney allows a couple to resolve any disputed issues and move toward a final settlement to dissolve your marriage or domestic partnership. Even couples that are sharply divided can find enough common ground through mediation to successfully negotiate and settle their divorce out of court, allowing them to move on with their lives.

At Divorce Help we will explain your options, and encourage a peaceful, practical solution. Mediation sessions can be done privately by phone by telephone video (i.e. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.).

The cost difference between a mediated divorce and a divorce trial in the California courts is significant. Superior court statistics show trial-based divorces can cost couples as much as ten times more than mediation or other non-adversarial methods. Studies also show that mediated divorces have a more positive impact on families and children involved in the divorce and custody process than litigated divorces.

Many people appreciate the control that mediation gives them over decision-making during the divorce. Matters are decided by the two people involved in the divorce, not by the court, and not by the mediator. You and your spouse make the decisions, the mediator is there to support and educate you in making them. The attorney-mediator can explain California law and how it applies to your case and offer guidance on settlement options.

There is also the benefit of creativity and flexibility when it comes to reaching agreements and settlement. Outside of the confines of the court system and the automatic dictates that determine what a retained attorney can and cannot do, divorce mediation offers wide latitude in finding solutions that fit your specific needs, while still meeting all of the necessary legal requirements.

The divorce mediation process also offers greater privacy and confidentiality than a litigated divorce. You never need to appear in court, and your mediation is handled privately by phone by telephone video (i.e. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.).

Divorce Help can offer you the greatest level of privacy and expediency in a divorce proceeding through our Private Judge service.