Divorce Mediation

Divorce mediation is a process in which a couple who is separating or divorcing jointly choose an experienced family law mediator to negotiate and resolve the issues in their divorce or separation. The neutral, experienced family law mediator-attorney helps the parties communicate and reach agreements on issues such as child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, division of assets and debts and matters related to the dissolution of the marriage. In a family law attorney-mediated divorce, both legal advice and guidance is provided to the couple during the negotiation process. Family law attorney-mediated divorce is significantly less costly and much less time-consuming than litigation. It typically is much less emotionally stressful for the parties involved.

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Divorce Mediation in South Bay, California

The Benefits of Divorce Mediation

Choosing Divorce Mediation, you a your spouse solely, decide all the terms of the divorce as well as what is best for you, your children and your future financial status.

With this process, you an your spouse will meet with a neutral third party, the mediator, who assists you in resolving all your concerns and ensure that your divorce is amicable and cost-effective.

By choosing divorce through mediation, you an your spouse will have made the smartest choice from a cost point-of-view, minimized the emotional trauma as best as at all possible and made sure that the division of assets and liabilities and the well-being of your children and yourself are the best possible under the situation.

See What People Have To Say About Ewing Mediation & Family Law

    
 
 
        
   Greg Mohrman 
 2024-01-31
 
 
  I needed Ms. Ewing's services several years ago and I cannot say enough about how impressed I was (and am) with her. She balanced empathy and decisiveness. Obviously, she's highly proficient in the law but her willingness and ability to listen and effectively engage with a variety of people - in, let's be honest, a variety of emotional states - is what really stood out. She's incredibly effective, and I strongly recommend her services to help mediate and resolve difficult circumstances.
  
 
       
   RICK BATTAGLINI 
 2023-11-28
 
 
  Divorce can be a trying time for all involved.  I was very fortunate to find (and hire) Deborah Ewing, Ewing Mediation & Family Law (aka Deb).  She handled everything with me from start to finish. In doing so, Deb was always very knowledgeable, supportive, professional and personable - her staff as well. As a licensed professional myself (not law), great service is truly appreciated and respected when seen. Since my divorce, I've recommended Deb multiple times and will continue to do so.  Don't miss out on getting help you deserve, contact her.
  
 
       
   John Horn 
 2023-10-26
 
 
  Deborah Ewing was my divorce lawyer and she was excellent!  I was always able to get in touch with her, she kept me informed of any communication with my wife's attorney and she has access to other professionals like CPAs.  Beyond all that though, I found her one of the most intelligent people I've ever met.  She always asks the right question and if I had a question she couldn't answer, she would find the right source for an answer.
I heartily recommend her and her Family Law practice.
John R Horn
  
 
       
   Joy Partlow 
 2023-10-25
 
 
  Deborah Ewing is a fabulous divorce attorney. She’s a feeling, warm and caring person. I have recommended her services to my close friends and son! She really made their divorces super easy, quick and thorough. Mine was a 4 years of hell due to my ex and his attorney, and Deborah was professional and super supportive during this trying time. I feel lucky to have her experience on my side.
  
 
       
   Patricia Herrera 
 2023-08-09
 
 
  Going through a divorce is extremely stressful. Deborah guided me through the process and was there every step of the way. She is professional, attentive and competent. I am thankful and appreciative of everything that Deborah did for me. I highly recommend her.
  
 
       
   Michelle Travens 
 2023-06-05
 
 
  Deborah Ewing was my lawyer for my divorce in 2015 and I still sing her praises to friends and relatives!  She was forthright, very intelligent, exceedingly  thorough, and somehow managed to retain a truly calm, friendly, and capable demeanor, while handling mounds of paperwork and umpteen phone calls with the other party’s attorney and staff.
She was not cutthroat towards the other party, but she was also quick to let me know when I was being too nice and accommodating.
In summation, Deborah Ewing was a steady rock for me during a very de-stabilizing period In my life, and I am forever in her debt.
  
 
       
   Lindsay Z Dellamaggiora 
 2023-04-04
 
 
  Deborah was fantastic in all aspects in dealing with a difficult divorce/custody issue. I recommend her every time someone asks me for a family law attorney referral. I will most certainly continue to use her in the future should the need arise.
  
 
       
   JeffTown “JeffTownUSA” 
 2023-03-31
 
 
  Deborah’s calm, efficient, knowledgeable, professional representation made a difficult divorce situation tolerable. Retaining Deborah to represent me was the smartest thing I could have done. I highly recommend her if you are looking for help with a divorce.
  
 
       
   Loy Miller 
 2023-03-26
 
 
  I was very pleased with Deborah’s professionalism and her down to earth manner in handling my situation.  I would highly recommend her.
  
 
       
   Nalini Brahmbhatt 
 2023-03-23
 
 
  Deborah is a wonderful, professional mediation attorney who navigated me through my divorce with consideration and efficiency. My ex and I both were able to settle with minimal cost and remain friends still! Her office staff were very helpful and always responded immediately. I would recommend her very highly.
  
 
  
  
 
 
   Google rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 21 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Divorce Mediation

How long does divorce mediation take?

Significantly less than litigation, a typical divorce mediation lasts anywhere from three to six months. Cases more complicated than typical ones take longer as the parties spend time on the additional issues.

How well you prepare (quickly providing all the documents needed) and the degree to which both parties are receptive to compromise are the two primary determinants of how long it will take to finish divorce Mediation.

How much does divorce mediation cost?

Significantly less than litigation because the parties use one Mediator-attorney who functions to neutrally facilitate understanding between the parties and amicably resolve the issues important to both parties. You control the speed of Mediation and your Mediator’s time. The cost is determined by your choice of how much time you need and in most cases this cost is shared between the two divorcing parties.

Litigation involves two attorneys arguing back and forth over everything and both of them spending hours examining and questioning documents. It is far more expensive.

What is the difference between mediation and collaborative divorce?

Both Mediation and Collaborative divorce are methods of less expensive and less stressful dispute resolution than litigation. They both give the parties complete control and prioritize win-win solutions.

While Mediation involves one attorney, with a Collaborative divorce each party has their own attorney. All four participants commit to meeting together until all issues are fairly and reasonably agreed to – without litigation.

What is the role of a lawyer in mediation?

If you decide to pursue mediation, you should review the facts of your case with an attorney and learn how state family law applies to your situation.

Thus, you will have an overall comprehension of legal principles and limits.

Prior to signing a final settlement agreement, it is prudent to share this information with your attorney to determine whether it is reasonable or places you in a financially vulnerable position.

After the final settlement agreement has been completed, have your attorney review it to ensure that it accurately reflects your knowledge of the provisions.

In the majority of divorce mediation meetings, only the parties and the mediator are present.

This reduces expenses and assures that you and your spouse make the decisions, rather than attorneys who may be overzealous in protecting your interests.

If you attend the initial session and determine that you cannot articulate your stance or advocate for yourself, you should consider bringing a lawyer to subsequent sessions.

Please be aware that this does significantly alter the dynamic.

The Difference Between a Divorce Mediated By an Experienced

Family Law Attorney and a Divorce Mediated by a Non-Attorney ‘Mediator’

In a divorce mediated by an experienced family law attorney, a couple chooses an attorney-Mediator to help them reach an agreement on the terms of their divorce. The attorney-Mediator facilitate the negotiations, providing decades of family law experience to advice and guide both parties as the many legal issues arise. In addition, once an agreement is reached by the couple their costs come to an end as the attorney-Mediator prepares and files all the necessary legal documents to finalize the divorce.

By contrast, a divorce by a non-attorney mediator facilitates the negotiation process by helping the couple to communicate effectively and identify potential areas of agreement. The mediator is a dispute resolution counselor. Because the non-attorney mediator does not have a license to practice law they cannot provide legal advice. Once an agreement is drawn up the mediator should refer the parties to their own attorneys for document review and make any necessary modifications to meet the laws of the state, addressing legal issues that the non-attorney mediator could not resolve or did not know. This is an additional expense for both of the spouses who are responsible for hiring two attorneys. In addition, the couple will typically be responsible for preparing and filing the necessary legal documents to finalize the divorce, or paying someone to do this.

There are a few key differences between family law attorney-Mediators and non-attorney mediators in the context of a mediated divorce. Here are some potential advantages and disadvantages to consider:

Advantages of experienced family law attorney-mediators

Legal knowledge: A family law attorney-Mediator is a specially trained lawyer who is familiar with the legal issues that arise in a divorce over property division, child custody, child support, joint and separate debt and spousal support/alimony. The Mediator-attorney ensures that the mediated settlement is fair and legally sound.
Ability to provide legal advice: A family law attorney-Mediator provides legal advice to both parties during the Mediation process, which is crucial to the parties’ understanding of the legal implications of different settlement options.
Experience with the court system: A family law attorney-Mediator has professional legal training, a law license and experience with the court system so is more able to anticipate potential legal or procedural issues that may arise during the divorce process.

Disadvantages of non-attorney mediators

Limited legal knowledge: Lacking the level of legal training that a family law attorney-Mediator has, a settlement in which the legal implications of various options are not all presented to the couple will be unfair to one or both of the parties.
Lack of ability to provide legal advice: Non-attorney mediators do not have a license to practice law so cannot provide the legal advice crucial to a fully informed settlement. This makes it difficult if not impossible for the parties to fully understand the options available to them.
Substantial additional costs for hiring two attorneys to review the non-attorney mediator’s document.
Ultimately, the choice between an experienced family law attorney-Mediator and a non-attorney mediator will depend on the needs and preferences of the parties involved in the divorce. It may be helpful to speak with both types of mediators to determine which one is the best fit for your situation.