Understanding Mediation in California

If you’re considering a divorce in Orange County and believe you and your spouse have the emotional and intellectual maturity to settle your differences amicably, then a divorce mediation might be right for you. Unlike litigation, which requires couples to go to court and argue their case before a judge, mediation is a voluntary, confidential, and privileged process in which you, your spouse and a third party come to an agreement on the particulars of your divorce. To partake in a mediation, you should speak with an Irvine uncontested divorce attorney who can guide you through the process. They will help you determine whether mediation is right for you based on your goals for divorce, wealth distribution, and child custody.

Below, we review some of the most common questions regarding divorce mediation and aim to demystify the process around it.

How Much Does Mediation Cost in California?

No two divorce cases are the same, and the fees for mediation in a divorce tend to be calculated by the hour. It’s up to you and your spouse to determine how many sessions you will need and whether you can go beyond a set number of hours in order to mediate and finalize the terms of your divorce. The average cost of an amicable divorce in California is around $5,000, and slightly more when factoring in consultants who will help evaluate your wealth. If that seems like a lot, just consider that the cost of a contested divorce usually winds up costing three times as much!

What Can I Expect from the Mediation Process?

Mediation is a process facilitated between you and your spouse in order to define the terms of your divorce. The process helps resolve your disagreements and identifies the core components of your divorce before being finalized in a written document that is then filed and approved by the court system. Each mediation proceeding is different, and most mediators will approach your proceeding in a customized manner to ensure it works well for you. Before you begin, your mediator will meet with you and your spouse separately to get a sense of the issues and then design an approach that will help you get closer to an agreement. Each session will consist of you, your spouse, your attorneys and a mediator who will help you navigate the issues facing your relationship. Each of you will voice your desired wishes and try to come to an agreement. In some instances, a mediator may order a private caucus between each spouse and their attorneys in order to diffuse the situation.

How Long Does Mediation Take?

Typically, mediation can take up to three to four months to complete in California. However, this is purely an estimate and will depend on how committed you are to resolving your differences in an efficient and timely manner.

Contact an Orange County Divorce Mediation Lawyer to Get Started

If you’re considering a divorce in California and think you can resolve your differences amicably, contact our office today. An Irvine uncontested divorce lawyer at our firm will guide you in the right direction.