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

Simplify Your San Francisco Divorce with Divorce Mediation

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

5 Star Reviews from Clients
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Years of Family Law Experience
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Less Costly Than Litigation
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Successful Mediations Completed
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Understanding Divorce Mediation and Its Purpose for San Francisco Couples.

Divorce mediation in San Francisco is an alternative dispute resolution method to obtain a divorce without stepping into court.

People from all socio-economic backgrounds have used this method to get a peaceful divorce because it not only kept their matters private and confidential but also saved them from spending tremendous amounts of money on litigation and divorce stress.

At Families First Mediation, our neutral, attorney mediators assist the San Franciscans spouses in reaching a resolution on all matters in their divorce.

Our expert attorney mediators are very comfortable with providing calculations like support calculations, asset buyouts, and may even be able to assist you with more complicated matters like employee stock benefits (RSUs, PSUs, Stock Options and ESPP).

We help you with the negotiation for property division, separate property claims, shared debts and liabilities, child custody, child support, spousal support, future support modification, and much more.

If you are considering expert mediation services in San Francisco, consider Families First Mediation, for a successful divorce, quality agreements, and as an effective alternative to pricey legal fees.

The Divorce Mediation Advantages in San Francisco California.

Divorce mediation offers  a more agreeable solution compared to court proceedings, and it has the following numerous advantages.

Mediation is much cheaper than the traditional method of divorce, especially for couples who have agreed on various aspects of the separation.

According to statistics from 2025, couples opting for mediation as an amicable means to resolve divorce disputes reportedly save more than $25,000 compared to couples who go through litigation.

Resolving a divorce through mediation is significantly faster than resolving it through litigation.

In San Francisco, California, mediation is much faster since couples do not have to work around court date conflicts and waiting periods.

Couples can use expert mediation services to create personalized agreements and address unique situations in their divorce.

Mediation, as opposed to court rulings, allows both parties the flexibility to address modern issues, including but not limited to custody, asset division, and parenting plans.

Mediation makes emotionally difficult divorce stress free and collaborative. 

Court battles raise a lot of tension, unlike mediation, which is open and fosters understanding. 

Studies on divorce and mental health show that this approach can significantly reduce emotional strain, making the process more manageable for everyone involved.

Divorce Mediation not only deals with divorce but also sets the stage for a good future for parents. 

Studies indicate that parents who undergo mediation divorce are more likely to practice cooperative parenting for the benefit of their children, which will benefit these children for years to come.

Mediation in San Francisco: Is It Right for Me, and When to Opt Out?

Divorce mediation is highly effective for every divorcing couple who want to streamline their divorce and legal separation in San Francisco California and reach an amicable resolution. 

If you are committed couples and willing to have discussion and work together towards an agreeable agreement, mediation is for you. 

Likewise, if you want to keep matters private, prioritize children’s well-being, and seek cost-effective and less time consuming options, then mediation is a super fit to your case. 

On the other hand, divorce mediation is not appropriate for you if you case the following sign:

When the one Party is being Controlled:

When you think that your spouse because of their dominating/controlling nature would manipulate your or entire divorce mediation process, you need to refrain from mediation. According to a piece done by ADR Times; “in simple terms, a power imbalance results when the parties don’t share the decision-making and other aspects of the relationship equally.”

Divorce Mediation with a Narcissist:

Divorce is tough and navigating it with a malignant spouse could make it more chaotic and difficult. Don’t you remember the old saying that ‘the only thing harder than living with a narcissist is separating from them?’ If your spouse is diagnosed with NPD (narcissistic personality disorder) and they are manipulative too, consider divorce litigation.

Physical / Mental Abuse Situations:

Divorce mediation is not for a situation if your case involves either physical or mental abuse. Negotiations in these kinds of circumstances very rarely ever go well because of the fear and intimidation that grow from the trauma of abuse.

High Conflict Divorce/Marital Relations

A highly conflicted marital relationship may involve intense emotional reactions, communication breakdowns and verbal abuse. So if we see divorce mediation and high conflict marital relationships they seem like the opposite ends. According to Kathy J. Marshack, couples in a high conflict divorce are unlikely to engage themselves in business like manners or in a friendlier way, making mediation inappropriate with your situation.

What Does The Typical Divorce Mediation Process Look Like in San Francisco?

If your divorce is uncontested there is no better option than mediating your divorce. But before mediating your divorce you have to choose the best and neutral mediator in San Francisco. Check for mediators who offer free personalized mediation consultation to understand your divorce goals and needs.The divorce mediation process with Families First Mediation can look like this:

With expert mediator and Super-Lawyer, Dina Haddad uncontested divorces are often streamlined, allowing for smooth court approval. To simplify your divorce with mediation, book your free divorce mediation consult today. 

1.

Information Gathering

This is the starting point of mediation, which requires mediators to gather information of divorcin couples (like financial records, property outlines, and any existing or required parenting plans).

2.

Identifying Issues & Negotiation

At this stage, our mediators help spouses list crucial issues like child custody, spousal support and property division to find a mutually agreeable solution. In issues identification and negotiation, both the divorcing couples remain present though sessions can be joint or separate depending upon the complexity of the case.

3.

Drafting Agreement and Final Review

Once the negotiations are completed, Families First Mediation expert mediators prepare a Settlement Agreement (often called Marital Settlement Agreement) based on all decisions that have been made in mediation and hand it over to both the couples for final review.

4.

Divorce Finalization

One of the mediators from Families First Mediation files the settlement agreement of divorcing couples to the court with the required forms. The judge reviews the terms outlined before making them a matter of public record.

We provide the following family law services in San Francisco, California.

Divorce Mediation

You may have heard of divorce mediation from a friend TV...

Legal Separation

Are you considering a divorce or legal separation, live in Ca,..

Moving Out Divorce

Choosing whether or not to stay, or to move out during...

Child Custody

In child custody mediation, attorney mediators and divorce ...

Child Support

Child support mediation involves a third-party mediator tasked....

Child Support Modification

Child support modification is the legal process...

Spousal Support Mediation

Spousal support is an important part of ending...

Prenuptial
Agreement

A prenuptial agreement helps safeguard your ...

Postnuptial Agreement

Life after marriage is like a never-ending ride...

Awards and Memberships

Meet The Team

Meet Your San Francisco’s Trusted Divorce Mediation Experts

At Families First Mediation, we are a dedicated team of six professionals with over 60 years of combined experience in family law. Our collaborative group includes skilled attorney mediators, a financial mediator, a case manager, and a divorce paralegal, all committed to providing compassionate and effective divorce mediation services in San Francisco, California.

Dina Haddad, Esq.

Principal & Founder Attorney-Mediator

Dina Haddad is the founder and principal of Families First Mediation, one of California’s top-rated mediation services.

As an attorney-mediator based in California,  Dina has helped countless couples resolve issues related to divorce, legal separation, child custody, spousal support, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements—amicably and effectively.

She earned her post-doctorate law degree in mediation from the renowned Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution.

Dina has practiced family law at some of the most respected firms in both Southern and Northern California. She brings a strong legal background together with a thoughtful, educational approach to mediation—ensuring both parties feel informed, heard, and empowered to reach lasting agreements.

She has served as Judge Pro Tempore for Personal Property Arbitration in Santa Clara County and is a family law mediator with the Agency for Dispute Resolution (ADR), a premier provider of private dispute resolution services.

Divorce Mediator Samira Amato Families First Mediation in San Jose, Ca

Samira Amato, Esq.

Divorce Mediator

FFM Financial Mediator Elizabeth Stephens

Elizabeth Stephens

(CDFA, CFF)

Financial Mediator

Senior Paralegal

Deborah Yamashiro

Divorce Paralegal

Case

Katherine Pearson

Divorce Paralegal & Case Manager

See What Our Client Say About Us

Explore client stories and reflections on how we’ve made divorce in California simple and stress-free through our mediation process.

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......"

Navigate Divorce with Ease – Expert Mediation Just a Call Away!

Faith Based DIvorce Attorney Mediator
Faith Based DIvorce Attorney Mediator

Navigate Divorce with Ease – Expert Mediation Just a Call Away!