Questions we hear all the time.

In a litigated divorce, each spouse typically hires their own attorney who bills by the hour, so the combined cost is hard to predict and frequently climbs into the tens of thousands of dollars. Mediation uses one neutral attorney-mediator and a single flat fee, which usually comes to a fraction of that total. Because the fee is fixed, you know your full cost before you begin rather than watching a meter run. We'll give you a clear quote in your free consultation so there are no surprises.

The retainer covers your mediation sessions and the preparation and filing of the documents your case requires, from the initial Petition through your final judgment, including the court filing fees. It also covers your Marital Settlement Agreement and the required financial disclosures. In short, the work of getting from "we've decided to divorce" to "it's finalized" is included. We'll confirm exactly what's covered for your situation before you retain us.

For most couples the flat fee covers everything. A small number of situations involve outside costs we don't control, for example, a property appraisal, a business valuation, or a separate court order to divide a retirement account (a QDRO). When something like that applies, we tell you about it upfront so it's never a surprise. You'll always know what's included and what isn't before any work begins.

The large majority of couples who start mediation reach a complete agreement, because choosing to mediate already means you both want to resolve things. If you settle most issues but get stuck on one, we still document everything you did agree on, which narrows what's left. We'll always be honest with you about whether mediation is working. If it truly isn't the right fit, we'll tell you rather than keep going.

No. One of the biggest advantages of virtual mediation is that each spouse can join from wherever they are, different homes, different cities, even different parts of the state. You both just need a private space and a phone, tablet, or computer with a camera. Many couples actually find it easier to talk through hard topics from their own space rather than across a conference table.

We use secure, widely used video conferencing that runs right in your browser or a simple app, so there's nothing complicated to set up. You'll get a link before each session and join with a single click. If you can make a video call to a family member, you already have everything you need. We're happy to do a quick test run beforehand if that puts you at ease.

That's common, and it's rarely a problem once you start. The technology is simple, and we'll walk you through it before your first real session. If video genuinely doesn't work for someone, we can talk through alternatives so the process still moves forward. The goal is for both of you to feel comfortable enough to focus on the conversation, not the screen.

We schedule around real life, which often means evenings or weekends. Because there's no commute and no office hours to work around, it's much easier to find times that fit work schedules and parenting. We'll find slots that work for both of you. Just let us know what your availability looks like and we'll do our best to accommodate it.

Yes, mediation only works if both spouses are willing to participate, because the whole idea is to reach decisions together instead of having a judge impose them. You don't have to agree on the actual issues yet; working through those disagreements is exactly what mediation is for. You both just have to be willing to come to the table and try. If only one of you wants to mediate, it isn't the right process.

Usually, yes. Because our mediator is a licensed California family law attorney, we can handle real complexity, businesses, real estate, retirement accounts, support disputes, and detailed parenting plans. Complicated finances are often a reason to mediate, since you keep control of the outcome instead of leaving it to a court. If we ever believe your situation isn't a good fit for mediation, we'll tell you honestly in your consultation.

You don't have to be friendly to mediate, you just have to be willing to work toward a resolution. A neutral attorney-mediator keeps the conversation structured and productive, which helps even when there's tension or hurt. Many couples who start out barely speaking are able to reach a full agreement because the process keeps things focused and fair. Our job is to manage the dynamic so you can get through it.

Often it is not. Mediation depends on both spouses being able to advocate for themselves freely and safely, and a history of domestic violence or a serious power imbalance can make that impossible. Your safety comes first, always. If this is part of your situation, please tell us in your consultation, we'll talk honestly about whether mediation is appropriate, and point you toward better-suited resources if it isn't.

We act as a neutral attorney-mediator for both of you, not as the advocate for either side. That means we don't take one spouse's position against the other, we help you both reach a fair, informed agreement. We can provide legal information so you understand your options, but we don't give either spouse separate legal advice. This neutrality is what allows one professional to guide the whole process.

It's never required, but it's always your right. Some people like the reassurance of having an outside attorney review the final Marital Settlement Agreement before they sign, and you're completely free to do that. Many couples don't feel the need to, because we prepare a thorough agreement and make sure you both understand it. The choice is entirely yours.

The working sessions themselves often wrap up in a matter of weeks, moving at the pace of your own agreement rather than a crowded court calendar. California law does require a six-month waiting period from the date the case is served before any divorce can be finalized, which we'll explain up front. So while your decisions can be made quickly, the legal finalization follows that state timeline. We keep things moving so nothing stalls on our end.

Once you've agreed on everything, we draft your full Marital Settlement Agreement reflecting those decisions, and guide you through signing and notarization. Then we prepare and file all the final paperwork with the court on your behalf. Neither of you has to appear in court. After the judgment is processed and the waiting period has passed, your divorce is final, and we can point you toward sensible next steps, like updating your estate plan.