You walk away with a legally binding agreement that actually works. No more wondering what a judge might decide or how much your attorney fees will cost this month. Your settlement is designed by you and your spouse, not imposed by someone who doesn’t know your family.
The financial relief is immediate. While traditional divorce litigation costs $15,000-$30,000 per spouse in Orange County, mediation typically runs $3,000-$7,000 total. That’s money that stays in your family instead of funding a court battle.
When children are involved, you’ve preserved the foundation for effective co-parenting. Because mediation focuses on collaboration rather than confrontation, you avoid the bitterness that often poisons post-divorce relationships. Your kids benefit from parents who can still communicate respectfully.
We serve San Juan Capistrano families with over 25 years of combined experience in family law and conflict resolution. Our firm is led by Daniel C. Hunter IV, a board-certified family law specialist—an elite distinction held by less than one percent of attorneys in California.
In a community where the median household income is $127,893, families understand the value of smart financial decisions. Orange County’s high cost of living already puts strain on households—there’s no reason to add unnecessary legal expenses to that burden.
Our team combines legal precision with genuine understanding of what San Juan Capistrano families face during divorce. Co-founder Meri Lopez brings certification from Pepperdine’s renowned Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution and is licensed in four states, ensuring you receive guidance from true specialists in family mediation.
Your mediation starts with a free consultation where we assess your situation and explain how the process works specifically for your case. No pressure, no sales pitch—just clear information about your options.
During mediation sessions, both spouses meet with a neutral mediator in a private, confidential setting. The mediator doesn’t represent either party and doesn’t make final decisions—their role is to facilitate discussion and help you reach resolution by sending offers back and forth between parties. You maintain complete control over the outcome.
The result is a clear plan and legally sound, comprehensive agreement designed to last, reduce conflict, and avoid future disputes and costly attorney fees. Once you’ve reached agreement, we draft the necessary legal documents for court approval. California requires a six-month waiting period before divorce is final, but your agreement can be completed well before that deadline.
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We handle all aspects of divorce mediation, including child custody arrangements, spousal support calculations, property division, and debt allocation. We maintain relationships with forensic accountants, psychologists, and appraisers to provide critical information quickly for equitable resolutions.
In San Juan Capistrano, where homes and assets carry significant value, proper property division requires expertise in local real estate trends and tax implications. Unlike court rulings that may not consider your specific priorities, mediation gives you control over how assets like your San Juan Capistrano home are handled.
Our transparent pricing model ensures no hidden fees or surprises, addressing a major concern for Orange County families who have already experienced financial stress. Post-judgment mediation services are also available when life changes require modifications to existing support or custody orders.
Mediation in Orange County typically costs $3,000-$7,000 total (split between both spouses), while traditional divorce litigation runs $15,000-$30,000 per spouse. That’s a savings of at least $20,000 for most couples.
A contested divorce in Orange County ranges from $5,000-$15,000 when there’s little litigation, but costs can be as low as $3,600-$6,000 for uncontested cases. The major cost of mediation is the mediator’s time, and it’s generally much lower than litigation or collaborative divorce. You’re investing in a solution, not funding a battle.
Mediation is a confidential dispute resolution forum that provides numerous advantages over litigation, including maintaining privacy, avoiding time and expense, and devising creative solutions for unusual circumstances. With separate attorneys, you’re still in an adversarial process where each lawyer is trying to “win” for their client.
Unlike litigation, mediation focuses on collaboration rather than confrontation, creating a safe space for both parties to speak openly and find common ground. All mediation details remain confidential, with only the final judgment becoming public information. This approach is especially valuable when you need to maintain a working relationship as co-parents.
Mediation typically offers quicker resolution than court proceedings, with sessions designed to foster open communication between spouses. Most couples complete mediation in 2-4 sessions over 6-8 weeks, depending on the complexity of their situation and their ability to communicate effectively.
By making your own decisions rather than leaving them to a judge, mediation reduces uncertainty, delay, and stress that come with court settings while keeping you in control of timing. Even though California requires a six-month waiting period after filing, your mediation agreement can be completed well before that deadline.
Yes, disagreement on major issues is exactly why mediation exists. Mediation works best for couples who trust each other, agree on the definition of “fair,” and seek resolution in the most expeditious way possible. You don’t need to agree on everything upfront—that’s what the process is designed to achieve.
A successful resolution requires appropriate disclosures, understanding of rights and obligations, and comprehending what a court would consider if the case went to litigation—a good agreement resolves issues now and prevents future conflicts. However, mediation isn’t appropriate for couples with a history of deceit, control issues, or violence.
Some couples start with mediation as it’s more cost-effective, then move to litigation if mediation is unsuccessful, or if issues and tensions arise during the process. If mediation doesn’t result in an outcome, it may end up being a waste of time and resources, but you’ll have gained valuable insight into your positions and potential settlement ranges.
In cases with a history of domestic violence or power imbalances, litigation may be necessary from the start, as spouses don’t have to interact one-on-one. If one party is a superior negotiator or holds disproportionate power, mediation can create significant advantage for that party, which is why consulting with a mediation specialist is crucial.
While neither spouse can have an attorney present during mediation sessions, it’s often beneficial for each to consult with a lawyer before and after mediation to strategize and review the settlement to ensure rights and interests are protected. Our mediators are board-certified family law specialists, so you’re getting legal expertise built into the process.
Mediating through non-legal professionals might seem cheaper, but poorly negotiated or drafted agreements can lead to confusion and expensive problems later. Our mediators use legal expertise and communication skills to guide you toward practical, clear agreements tailored to your unique needs. You get the benefit of legal knowledge without paying for two separate attorneys.
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