You walk away with a legally binding agreement that actually works for your family. No more wondering what a judge might decide about your children or your assets.
Your divorce is final in 4-6 months instead of dragging on for years. You’ve saved $10,000-$25,000 compared to court battles, and your kids never had to watch their parents fight in public.
Most importantly, you can still talk to your ex-spouse about your children’s needs. The mediation process preserved that relationship instead of destroying it through adversarial litigation.
Level Dispute Resolution brings over 25 years of family law expertise to Atwood and Orange County families. Our founder, Daniel C. Hunter IV, holds board certification in family law—a distinction earned by less than 1% of California attorneys.
We’re not general practice lawyers dabbling in divorce. We’re specialists who’ve helped thousands of couples navigate separation with dignity and fairness.
Orange County families face unique challenges with high living costs and complex property issues. We understand the local landscape and know how to craft agreements that work in this expensive market while protecting your financial future.
First, we meet for a free consultation where you’ll learn exactly how mediation can work for your situation. No pressure, no sales pitch—just honest answers about your options.
Next, we gather the financial information and documents needed to make informed decisions. This includes assets, debts, income, and any relevant custody considerations. Everything stays confidential.
Then we begin structured mediation sessions where both of you work with our neutral mediator to negotiate fair terms. You control the pace and the decisions. We facilitate productive conversations and help you explore options you might not have considered.
Finally, we draft your comprehensive settlement agreement and handle all court filings. Your divorce becomes final once the court approves the agreement—typically within 6 months of filing.
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Your mediation covers all aspects of divorce: property division, child custody and support, spousal support, and debt allocation. We don’t handle just pieces of your case—we resolve everything.
In Orange County’s high-cost environment, property values and living expenses create unique challenges. We help you navigate complex real estate decisions, retirement account divisions, and support calculations that reflect actual local costs.
Our flat-fee structure means you know your total cost upfront. No surprise bills, no hourly charges that spiral out of control. You get experienced legal guidance, document preparation, court filings, and follow-up support all included.
Divorce mediation typically costs between $3,000-$8,000 total, while litigated divorces in California average $17,500 without children and $26,300 with children. The savings come from avoiding lengthy court battles, multiple attorney meetings, and discovery processes.
With our flat-fee model, you know your exact cost before starting. Court battles can drag on for 15-19 months with unpredictable legal bills, while mediation usually resolves in 4-6 months with a fixed price.
The financial difference often pays for your children’s college fund or helps you start fresh without crushing legal debt.
About 80% of mediation cases reach successful agreements, but if yours doesn’t, you haven’t lost anything. The discussions remain confidential, so nothing you say in mediation can be used against you in court later.
You can still pursue traditional divorce litigation with all your options intact. Many couples find that even partial agreements through mediation save time and money in court by narrowing the disputed issues.
Some couples take a break from mediation and return later when emotions have cooled. There’s no pressure to rush into decisions you’re not comfortable with.
Yes, California Family Code Section 3170 requires mediation for all child custody and visitation disputes before going to court. The court won’t hear custody cases until you’ve attempted mediation through Family Court Services or private mediators.
This requirement exists because mediation produces better outcomes for children. Parents who mediate custody agreements report higher satisfaction and better compliance than court-ordered arrangements.
Private mediation gives you more control over the process and timeline compared to court-connected services, which often have long waiting lists and limited session times.
Most divorce mediations complete in 4-6 months, though some finish in as little as 8-12 weeks for straightforward cases. Complex situations involving businesses or extensive assets may take longer but still resolve faster than court battles.
California requires a minimum 6-month waiting period after serving divorce papers before the divorce can be finalized, regardless of how quickly you complete mediation. This waiting period runs concurrently with your mediation process.
The timeline depends on your cooperation level, case complexity, and how quickly you provide required financial documents. Our structured approach keeps things moving efficiently while giving you time to make thoughtful decisions.
Poor communication is exactly why many couples need a skilled mediator. Our job is to facilitate productive conversations and help you hear each other’s concerns without the emotional triggers that derail discussions at home.
We use proven techniques to keep conversations focused on solutions rather than past grievances. If direct communication is too difficult, we can conduct “shuttle mediation” with separate meetings, though most couples find they communicate better than expected in our neutral environment.
The key is both parties’ willingness to participate in good faith. If there’s domestic violence or one spouse refuses to engage honestly, mediation may not be appropriate, and we’ll help you understand your alternatives.
Our founder is board-certified in family law—a distinction held by less than 1% of California attorneys. This specialized training means you get expert legal guidance, not just conflict resolution from someone without deep family law knowledge.
We offer transparent flat-fee pricing with no hidden costs or hourly billing surprises. You know exactly what you’ll pay before starting, and our comprehensive service includes everything from mediation sessions to court filings.
Our 25+ years of Orange County experience means we understand local court procedures, property values, and cost-of-living factors that affect support calculations. We’re not general mediators—we’re family law specialists focused exclusively on helping couples divorce with dignity and fairness.
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