Mediation is about reaching a consensual agreement with your spouse on divorce issues without going to court. Plus, it is faster, affordable, informal, and a great way to get out of a difficult divorce without stress.
Even simple divorce cases in court end up taking years. With that in mind, divorcing couples have switched to mediation more recently. However, productive, affordable mediation is only possible if you find an experienced and empathetic mediator near you. Mediating the divorce is one thing, and mediating through a qualified mediator is another.
How can I find the best divorce mediator near me? You can find the best mediator near you by learning about mediators’ experiences and qualifications, identifying mediators who mediate in your city, short-listing from many to a few after research, scheduling an initial meeting, and finally choosing the best mediator after discussing with your spouse.
If you would like to learn more about mediation, please check our article here. If you are looking to mediate your divorce, Schedule your Free Consultation with Families First Mediation. FFMediation has been mediating divorces for over 20+ years under affordable options with the Families First approach throughout California.
Discussing 5 Interesting Steps for Finding the Best Divorce Mediator Near Me:
- Learn about the Mediator’s Qualifications and Experience
- Choose a Divorce Mediator Who Practices Mediation in your City
- Make a shortlist of mediators after some investigation.
- Schedule an Initial Consultation with each Mediator on your Shortlist
- Finalizing the Selection and hiring the Best Mediator
Step #1: Learn about the mediator's qualifications and experience
The first step in finding a top divorce mediator near me is knowing the standards and criteria that make a mediator fit your case.
You can evaluate your mediator’s qualifications and experience in tackling divorce cases. Also, ensure they are a well-trained and specialized divorce expert to tackle your case. You might want to know how many mediation cases your mediator has mediated or successfully settled. Consider the following things:
Experience
Look for the mediator’s experiences in terms of the number of years the mediator has spent mediating divorces and handling cases.
For example:
- How long have they been mediating the cases?
- Have they tackled similar cases like yours before?
- What is the mediator’s case resolution rate?
Training
Mediators come from various backgrounds, such as law, social work, therapy, judiciary, etc. Attorney mediators are experts in family laws and court procedures, giving them a clear advantage over non-attorney mediators. So, always go with the mediators with at least 40 hours of training or extensive formal training in family law and conflict resolution from a reputable organization or university. Our mediators have these specialties, including a Master of Law in Alternative Dispute Resolution (LLM), from Straus Institute, which is the most reputable ADR program in the nation.
Mediator’s Approach
The mediator’s approach plays a decisive role in reaching a quality agreement. Evaluate what strategies and approaches your mediator can use. You can evaluate the mediator’s approach during the initial online consultation. The following questions will help you understand the mediator’s approach:
- Is a mediator empathetic?
- Are you comfortable with him or her while discussing matters?
- Is mediation his/her secondary job or full-time business?
- Can your mediator resolve financial issues surrounding child support, property division, employee stocks, retirement assets, employee stocks, and spousal support?
Your mediator can employ different strategies depending on your family’s
Step #2: Choose a Divorce Mediator who practices Mediation in your City
The 2nd stage in finding the top mediation services near you is to identify the mediators who practice mediation in your state and know your county’s family laws. Because legal nuances and divorce petition filing procedures can vary from state to state. Your final agreement (MSA) needs to comply with California your state laws regarding alimony and parenting plans.
By step #2, you will have data on mediators who give their mediation services near you. To find these mediators, you can run a Google search such as “divorce mediator near me in California.” Alternatively, “divorce mediator near me.” Check if their websites show the qualifications and experience.
Step #3: Make a Shortlist of Mediators after some Investigation.
The 3rd step in how to find a divorce mediator near me is to narrow down the research further.
Browse through the websites of mediators who practice mediation in your city. See what information their website has to solve your specific problem. Do their websites mention their approach to mediation, pricing, and free initial meetings?
Evaluate people’s comments about what they say about mediator services. Client reviews are essential tools to check the credibility of the mediator. Now, shortlist the mediators that are close to the standards we have discussed. Check out our Yelp reviews and Google Business reviews to learn about our clients’ experiences.
Step #4: Schedule an Initial Consultation with each Mediator on your Shortlist
The 4th step in how to find a divorce mediator near me is to talk to all short-listed mediators by booking an initial meeting with them. I believe that free consultations with mediators are a win-win. They let you assess their communication style and give them a head start on understanding your case.
Many mediators charge a fee for an initial meeting. On the other hand, Families First Mediation does not charge a fee for video consultation.
How does the mediator conduct the initial consultation?
Mediators use various ways, such as:
- In-person initial meetings
- Telephonic initial meetings
- Online initial meetings
How do mediators conduct initial consultations? Do not worry! Mediators with their websites detail how they conduct initial consultations (in-person, virtual, etc.)
How to use “Initial Meeting” to find the perfect mediator:
Mediators with excellent reputations have packed schedules. For a new client, they are hardly available. However, you may likely find a reputable mediator if you consider these points before meeting mediators:
- Pen down important points and priorities before starting a meeting
- Draft questions from fee structures, timings, and conflict resolution approach to basic guidelines
- Ask if they draft a Settlement Agreement (MSA) when both parties agree on issues
- Know how good they are at using technology and automation for faster resolution
- Find out the other trusted professionals with whom they collaborate, such as therapists. Because you may need other professionals for dealing with emotional issues, mortgage problems, and child welfare evaluation.
Some other questions to take ideas are:
- Do they provide spousal support calculations?
- Do they assist with retirement division and equalization, as well as the options available for the division, including obtaining a QDRO?
- How do they solve the financial aspect of divorce, such as real property, bank accounts (savings, CDs, etc.), retirement accounts (401(k), 403bs, CalSTRS, CalPERS, pensions, etc.)?
- If you or your spouse work in tech, how familiar is the mediator with employee compensation packages like RSUs, Stock Options, PSUs, ESPP, and other equity interests?
- How will they bill you for an hourly or flat fee package?
Evaluate your mediator’s empathy and compassion. If the mediator seems robotic or less interested in your well-being, find another.
Step #5: Finalizing the Selection and Hiring the Best Mediator
Hiring the best divorce mediator among the top picks is the 5th stage of finding a divorce mediator near me. Let us get started!
Evaluate Your Initial Meetings with Mediators
You have used initial meetings with the mediators to inquire about their fees, evaluate communication styles, and find how best they align with your needs. Follow these tips for better evaluation:
- Tip #1: Discuss with your spouse about all short-listed mediators you met or consulted online. Go with one with whom you both feel comfortable.
- Tip #2: Now, make the final selection among the short-listed mediators whose fees, mediation approach, timelines, and availability with you and your spouse match well with your budget and needs.
- Tip #3: Pay attention to the client reviews and testimonials.
Questions for Evaluation:
- With which mediator do you feel heard and respected?
- Which mediator’s communication style was more attractive?
- Which mediator’s qualifications and experience are relevant to your case?
- Which mediator was more empathetic? How comfortable will you be when discussing important divorce matters?
- Which mediator best suits you and your spouse?
- Which mediator was open to negotiating fees?
- Which mediator has a high case resolution rate?
4 Other Ways to Find a Divorce Mediator Near You
A four other ways to find a divorce mediator near you are:
- Referrals: Get referrals from the lawyers, trusted friends, or relatives who mediated their divorces.
- Websites or Legal Directories: Search websites of organizations like the American Bar Association or legal directories.
- Therapist Recommendation: Many therapists and counselors deal with marriage counseling or the emotional stress of divorce. They also work with mediators. Get recommendations from them about reputable mediators in your city.
- State or County Bar Associations: Your county or state bar association also maintains the list of mediators.