Orange County Divorce Mediation

Guiding Clients to an Amicable Outcome - Call (949) 565-4151 Today

When many people envision divorce proceedings, it frequently involves stress, emotion, and – almost invariably – a judge. While our Orange County divorce mediators cannot alleviate the stress aspect altogether, we can help clients to work together and determine terms of divorce in which everyone can get what they want. We want to help our clients achieve resolutions which everyone can agree on, without having to fight it out in a courtroom.

What is divorce mediation?

Divorce mediation is the process in which a divorcing couple meets with a neutral third party, the mediator, to determine how to amicably and equitably end their marriage. Mediation covers a variety of issues, including allocation of assets, as well as custody and child support.

What are the benefits of mediation?

  • Mediation is less expensive than divorce. With a traditional divorce, both parties have to hire opposing attorneys – this, in conjunction with a lengthy trial, can lead to a heavy financial burden. Mediation eliminates those fees.
  • Mediation allows both parties to have more control over the results of their case – instead of a judge reaching a resolution, the divorcing couple will agree to terms together.
  • Mediation allows for more discretion than a divorce. Whatever is said during mediation is confidential and cannot be used in a future lawsuit, unless it pertains to criminal activity. Contrastingly, court cases are public.
  • Mediation is faster than a traditional divorce. The length of mediation depends on the couple’s willingness to come to an agreement, but it can be resolved in just a few sessions, if both parties agree to the terms quickly.

How does mediation work?

In most cases, the following will occur -

  • First Meeting: during the first meeting, the mediator will have the couple discuss their goals and what they want to achieve through the mediation process.
  • Additional Meetings: during these meetings, the couple will continue to discuss any unresolved issues. During the negotiation, the mediator will not take sides. Instead, they will help to facilitate the conversation – they will assist with identifying the points of dispute and they will help the parties resolve any remaining issues. An attorney-mediator can offer a useful legal perspective throughout this process, such as how divorce issues are usually resolved.
  • Written Agreement: when both parties have reached an agreement, the mediator will put said agreement in writing and have both parties sign it. An attorney-mediator is, again, helpful because they will file the paperwork with the court.

The Orange County divorce mediators at OC Divorce Mediation Center have almost 50 years of combined experience and will help you through your mediation. Our mediators will work to ensure that your conflict is resolved in a safe, non-judgmental environment. If you live in the Ladera Ranch, Orange County, or Irvine areas and believe that mediation is right for you, contact our experienced mediators today!

Contact us today to get started with our skilled mediators and reach an amicable conclusion with your partner.