San Mateo Divorce Mediation Services Family law

In co-mediation, two mediators work together to resolve disputes among parties. With co-mediation, parties get the expertise of two mediators, and these mediators share their knowledge, experience, and skills to reach the outcome. However, it can add some extra costs due to the involvement of two mediators for both parties. It also requires mediators who work exceptionally well with one another; otherwise, it’s likely the parties will be confused.

You can find a reputable divorce mediator in California by doing these steps:

• • Search on Google or browse through online legal directories
• • Reach out to family attorneys in Los Angeles and ask for referrals.
• • Read and review the testimonials of mediators once you find them.

The mediator can understand your case (suitability of mediation to you) and divorce issues in a free video consultation. Additionally, they can communicate their strategies to resolve your disputes, their role as a neutral facilitator, and the risks associated with your divorce. You can also learn about their fee model in an initial discussion. In short, you can use the free video consultation for maximum benefit without spending money.

• • Gather a basic understanding of the mediation process
• • Familiarize yourself with your mediation concern to a mediator and know about different solutions.
• • Evaluate the mediator regarding his communication, problem-solving skills, and suitability to your scenario.
• • Use this strategy and get at the win-and-win situation before investing in mediation

The number of sessions required in your mediation for simple divorce or complex cases can vary. The more complications there are, the more sessions will be required. Likewise, the couple’s willingness to compromise, complexity, information gathering (process), expert consultations, and mediator experience may also influence the number of sessions. Our Families First Mediations couples average 5–6 sessions. Here is a breakdown of the expected number of sessions based on the case types.

• • Simple cases: 3–5 sessions
• • Mid-size cases: 4–8 sessions
• • Highly complex Cases: 8–12+

The following are the pros and cons of mediation in divorce.
Pros

• • Confidential
• • Time effective
• • Post-divorce stability
• • Voluntary, informal and flexible
• • More control over the outcome
• • Collaborative and peaceful nature
• • Inexpensive process(both parties can collectively pay the fees of a mediator)

Cons

• • Can’t work for high conflict cases
• • Does not work for uncooperative couples
• • Lacks legal advocacy (mediator just mediates and doesn’t advocate for parties, unless the parties retain consulting attorneys)
• • Doesn’t work for couples with power imbalance (unless the mediator is able to neutralize)

No, mediation and collaborative divorce are entirely different approaches to divorcing. Both are processes to divorce in California, without stepping into court, yet these options differ in the process, (number of) professionals involved, and costs.

• • In mediation, both parties have one mediator, while in a collaborative divorce, each party retains his/her attorney.
• • In mediation, you work directly with the mediator. In collaborative practice, you work in a team approach. The number of professionals in the team varies, but can include a mental health professional and financial expert.
• • Mediation is generally cheaper than collaborative divorce because collaborative typically requires a team which is more costly based on the number of professionals. Additionally, teams tend to move slower (costing more) than a more streamlined service like mediation.
• • A mediator in mediation stays neutral. The mediator neither advocates in the court nor for the parties. They just mediate for both divorcing parties. In collaborative divorce, each party’s attorney advocates for its party.