Quality Divorce Mediation in Arroyo Grande

They are separate things. Court mediation is a required, free session limited to parenting issues before a contested custody hearing. Private divorce mediation is voluntary and covers the whole case, property, support, and parenting together, on your schedule and in confidence. California law keeps what is said in mediation out of court.

Couples meet with the neutral mediator over a handful of sessions, exchange the financial disclosures California requires in every divorce, and work through each issue in order. The final agreement is drafted into a settlement and submitted with the judgment paperwork. Most mediated divorces finish without either spouse ever appearing in court.

The number of sessions drives cost, which mostly reflects how many issues are genuinely disputed and how complete the financial picture is at the start. Mediation is typically a fraction of the cost of a litigated case. Get a free consultation to see whether your situation fits.

No. Mediation works when both spouses negotiate in good faith with full financial transparency. It is the wrong tool where there is domestic violence, intimidation, or hidden assets; those cases need the protections of a litigated divorce, and sometimes protective orders. An honest assessment of fit comes first.

The mediator is neutral and cannot give either spouse individual legal advice, so many people have a consulting attorney review the agreement before signing. That review is inexpensive insurance on a document that governs property, support, and children for years. We offer consulting review for people mediating elsewhere too.

Yes, mediation is one path within a complete family law practice. That includes divorce, uncontested divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, property division, restraining orders, QDROs, estate planning, traffic ticket defense, prenuptial agreements, and document preparation. View all of our services.

We serve clients across the tri-county area, from the coast to Kern County. That includes Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Bakersfield, Delano, Grover Beach, Lompoc, Los Osos, Nipomo, Oceano, Orcutt, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Taft, Tehachapi, and Templeton. View our full service area.