Providing Divorce Mediation Services Throughout California
Providing Divorce Mediation Services Throughout California

Divorce Mediation Family Law Experts in Los Angeles

Divorce is stressful enough. Work with top divorce mediators Dina & Samira to take control of your case in Los Angeles, Ca offering the most comprehensive divorce mediation services.

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Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles Divorce Mediator Services, Legal Separation, or Custody Mediation

Mediation in divorce is a way to end a marriage among married couples without having to go to court. This alternate dispute resolution strategy empowers spouses to reach a fair yet consensual settlement without stepping into a courtroom and keeping their matter private. The mediator is a third party neutral who helps the parties divorce but provides the parties quality and creative solutions that put the family first. These mediators may be lawyers (attorney mediators) or professional non-attorney mediators.

Mediation in Los Angeles has become one of the most common types of marital separation because of its non-adversarial nature, cost-effectiveness and faster speed compared to lengthy court battles. Married couples and domestic partners have used mediation to obtain a divorce. In fact, most celebrity couples mediate their divorce or use private arbitration.
If you are considering divorce, and want to achieve the best outcome for you and your family, read this article to learn more about mediation.

LEARN ALL ABOUT MEDIATORS

Meet Your Future Mediation Team

Families First Mediation Mediator Dina Haddad

Dina Haddad, Esq.

Principal & Founder Attorney-Mediator

Dina is the founder and principal of Families First Mediation. Her mission is make A-class services available to clients at all socio-economic levels by providing her commitment to excellence at a fraction of the cost of traditional divorce options.

She has practiced family law in both Southern and Northern California, at some of the most prestigious law firms. She completed post-doctorate law degree in mediation, a Masters in Law in Alternate Dispute Resolution from the premier Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution. For more than 9 consecutive years, Straus was ranked the number one dispute resolution program by U.S. News and World Report. Straus received this honor again for 2018. Very few mediators, particularly in family law, have this unique training.

Phone Number:

(408) 357-3486

Email:

Samira Amato, Esq.

Divorce Attorney-Mediator

Deborah Yamashiro

Senior Paralegal

Elizabeth Stephens

Financial Mediator

Katherine Pearson

Case Manager & Paralegal

How Does Our 4 Steps Divorce Mediation Process Look Like In Long Beach, California?

1

Book a Free Consultation

Start your mediation by booking a free video consultation with our divorce mediator.

2

Mediate An Agreement

In this step, you meet the attorney-mediator and your spouse in a working session. Our divorce mediator guides you and your spouse to understand California family laws and explore options (property division, parenting, and child custody) for a fair settlement plan.

3

Complete Disclosures

In the third step, our mediator assists divorcing couples in completing the necessary financial disclosures required for a California divorce.

4

Let's Submit Your MSA with the Court for Final Divorce Judgment

Our mediators will draft and finalize a Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA). Then, mediators present it to both you and your spouse. Once you both sign the MSA, we will submit it to the court for a final divorce decree. That’s It. Got Questions? Let’s Chat.

Looking For An Experienced Divorce Mediator?

Faith Based DIvorce Attorney Mediator
Best California Divorce Mediator

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See What Our Clients Say About Us

Marievelle Domingo
Marievelle Domingo
Verified
"I heard so many great feedbacks about Families First Mediation so I was eager to sign up to overcome my fears about going through my divorce...."
Eric Chuang
Eric Chuang
Verified
"Dina and her team are amazing. They guided us through this most difficult time in our lives with ease and proficiency...."
Julie Poklewski
Julie Poklewski
Verified
"Working with Families First Mediation Group was such a positive and reassuring experience. From the very first conversation...."
Jacob P
Jacob P
Verified
"Samira and FFM guided us through our divorce while navigating a fairly complex (non-standard) living and parenting plan...."
Sapna Bhagwat
Sapna Bhagwat
Verified
"Families First Mediation recently helped my ex and I navigate the dissolution of our marriage....."
H B
H B
Verified
"Dina is not only incredibly knowledgeable—she is so much more than just a mediator. She is a rare and special person who brings light to your path...."
Lynn
Lynn
Verified
"Dina Haddad and Families First made a difficult process so much easier for us. For families with complex situations, Dina is the perfect choice..."
Steven
Steven
Verified
"Very good experience. Dina knows how to get everyone on the same page while keeping both parties on friendly terms..........."
John
John
Verified
"We like the way Dina Haddad and Families First Mediation made the well-being of our kids their top priority. They guided us through......."
Veronica
Veronica
Verified
"As much as you can love going through mediation and divorce, Dina H. is the one to help you come to a positive outcome. She has good......"
Andres
Andres
Verified
“Divorce is never something you plan for and the complexity and legality of it is something most couples don’t know, understand or inquire about..."
Araceli
Araceli
Verified
"I highly recommend Dina and Deborah at Families First Mediation. Dina is awesome she helped guide us from beginning to the end through...."
David
David
Verified
"Dina is very knowledgeable both in terms of the divorce laws and accounting. She is a great listener and amazing in finding a solution...."
Dolores
Dolores
Verified
"Families First really helped make a difficult process seamless and helped us keep our friendship intact. Thanks to Dina and Deborah, we were able ...."
Matt
Matt
Verified
"Dina and Deborah helped us maintain our MSA, even years later, with the same kindness and professionalism as the first time we all..."
Sharon
Sharon
Verified
"I highly recommend Families First Mediation if you and your spouse are thinking about going separate ways. Dina and team are friendly, easy to work with, thorough, and responsive....."
Carla
Carla
Verified
"While this process can be full of emotion and never easy, Dina showed excellent professionalism and compassion during ....."
Jonathan
Jonathan
Verified
"For anyone out there navigating the legal complexities and emotional fallout of a divorce with children involved, I’d recommend Dina...."
Annie
Annie
Verified
"The transition out of marriage has been difficult and emotional. Dina has shown excellent professionalism throughout the process......"

Learn more about Divorce Mediation and how it can help your family

Frequently Asked Questions

Divorce mediation is a non-adversarial process in which the divorce mediator – specially trained for this purpose – helps couples find solutions without  going to court regarding the following issues: 

  • Asset and debt division;
  • Child and spousal support;
  • Child custody;
  • Parenting plans; and
  • Debt allocation. 

Families First Mediation mediators take on the following roles:

  • The mediators foster creative communication between parties.
  • Our mediators identify issues that can create future problems.
  • Our mediators also assist with retirement division and equalization.
  • They draft the MSA and file the agreement. 
  • They provide child and spousal support calculations using DissoMaster and Family Code Section 4320. 
  • They also prepare and file documents and agreements in court

No, mediation is not mandatory for divorce in Los Angeles, CA. However, a few family court counties require custody mediation before you have a court hearing on custody. 

Mediation is a great tool to navigate your divorce effectively, and should be considered as a first option before pursuing traditional options like litigation.

Here are 2 reasons why divorce mediation is the best option in Los Angeles: 

  • Little to No Stress: Mediation is less stressful as both spouses collaborate to reach the final agreement. 
  • Inexpensive Process: Mediation is a more affordable option ($5000 – $15000) than a litigated divorce. 

Yes, unmarried couples, except common law married couples, can use divorce mediation in California to settle their issues. 

California State recognizes domestic partnerships, and separating couples can use mediation to settle their issues like married couples.

Usually, mediation takes place in a neutral setting where spouses may communicate effectively. 

Below are the settings where mediation takes place: 

  • Law office;
  • Mediation centers;
  • Community centers or rental office spaces; and 
  • Video conferencing platforms (online mediation). 

These 5 benefits of mediation make it the best option in Los Angeles: 

  • It is super affordable. 
  • It is a time-friendly process. 
  • It is a peaceful route and does not involve emotional stress. 
  • It best protects the concerns of spouses and the interests of your child. 
  • It fosters post-divorce relationships. 

Yes, you can leave mediation anytime! It’s a voluntary process, unlike the court hearings. If you feel a biased environment or mediator, you can leave it and try other mediators or alternate dispute resolution methods. 

However, it would only be best to leave mediation once you reach an agreement with your husband or wife on all divorce matters.