What's the quickest way to get started?
Simply give our office a call at (310) 301-2100 to set up a mediation orientation.
What do I bring?
You don't need to bring anything with you to your orientation session . Most people stay between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on how many questions they have.
Am I really a candidate for mediation?
Yes, if you're ready to reach an agreement and you want to reach an agreement. We have a 100% success rate with those who are ready and who want to reach an agreement, no matter how much conflict they may have. Read more.
Ready to schedule a mediation session?
Just call us for an appointment at (310) 301-2100. You don’t have to bring anything with you to the first session, but it’s helpful if you have a simple list of your assets and debts. If you want to be as prepared as possible, check out the worksheets here, but really a simple list of your assets and debts is plenty of information to get you through the first session.
Can Peace Talks handle everything?
Yes, we can handle your paperwork filing as well as the mediation and our mediations cover all aspects of family law cases: children, parenting plans, financial settlements, child support and spousal support, and everything in between.
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All FAQ's:
What is divorce mediation?
Divorce mediation and custody mediation are ways to resolve your divorce or custody dispute which let you keep full control of the outcome. The only people making decisions are those involved in the dispute, unlike arbitration or litigation where a judge or an arbitrator makes the final decision. Read More.
Who are you and who are your divorce mediators?
We are divorce and custody mediators serving greater Los Angeles. We know that divorce is about peace of mind as well as the legal divorce, and we pride ourselves on our client-centered approach in divorce and family law mediation. Read More.
How do I prepare for divorce mediation or custody mediation?
Divorce mediation is most efficient when you come to your mediation session prepared with some basic information. The better informed you are about your assets, liabilities, children's schedules, and your goals for the outcome of your situation, the more progress we can make in your mediation session. Read More.
How do I prepare for getting a divorce?
Every divorce starts with a Petition. The Petition package is a set of papers that lists your address, the date of your marriage, the names and dates of birth of your children, an extremely basic outline of your property and whether or not you’d like spousal support, among other things. The Petition can be amended later if you change your mind about any of these items. Read More.
How do divorce mediation costs compared to divorce litigation costs?
Do you really want to spend your children's college education account, your vacation money, and the full value of your home on your divorce? Consider divorce mediation or custody mediation as a lower-cost, lower-stress alternative. Read More.
How can you help me speak to my spouse about mediation?
There are several options for how to contact the other party and suggest mediation. Talk to us and let us know what you think would be best. Read More.
How do you stay neutral as mediators if only one person calls?
As mediators, we're trained to discuss your situation in a neutral way with both sides. Typically, we have at least one telephone conversation with each party prior to your first mediation session because it's important that everyone involved has confidence in the mediation process. Read More.
Do I need a lawyer during divorce mediation?
At Peace Talks, we encourage people to use lawyers' and other professionals' time wisely and cost-effectively to suit their needs and level of comfort. That may mean you speak to a lawyer for an hour, or it may mean that you hire a lawyer to represent you during the mediation sessions. It depends on what you feel you need the lawyer to do. Read More.
If I have a conciliation court date,
can I still mediate at Peace Talks?
Yes. Just let us know about your conciliation court date so that we can schedule your mediation session as soon as possible. When you reach an agreement in mediation, you can submit your agreement to court and cancel your appointment with conciliation court and family court services.
If I have an attorney, can I still mediate my divorce or custody issues at Peace Talks?
Yes. Attorneys are always welcome at Peace Talks. Some mediation clients bring attorneys with them to each mediation session, and some clients simply consult with their attorney in between mediation sessions. Just let us know whether your attorney will be coming with you to your mediation session(s) so that we can plan ahead. If you need a referral to an attorney who can advise you individually while supporting the mediation process, just let us know. We have a great referral list of terrific mediation-friendly attorneys.
Do I need a lawyer to represent me from start to finish in my divorce mediation?
If you've been kept in the dark about your finances throughout your marriage, if you’ve been the victim of domestic violence, or there is an extreme imbalance of power in your relationship, you should probably see a lawyer before beginning mediation or any divorce proceedings. Read More.
Can my mediator tell me my legal rights?
As mediators, we can give you legal information, but not individualized legal advice. At Peace Talks, we feel strongly about client education. We have a Client Library full of divorce and legal information which is free and open to the public, and we have many worksheets and handouts that cover all aspects of legal information. Read More.
When should I speak to a lawyer? Before, during or after mediation?
When you speak to a lawyer is mostly a matter of personal preference. Some people consult with a lawyer just once or twice, and others hire a lawyer to represent them before and during the mediation. Plenty of people wait until an agreement has been drafted, then take the agreement and financial disclosures to a lawyer to review to make sure it's fair under the circumstances. Read More.
What's a mediation-friendly attorney?
A mediation-friendly attorney is a family lawyer who will advise you about your rights, likely outcomes in court, and a "best case" and "worst case" scenario in your case. He or she will advise you as to your individual rights like any litigation lawyer might. Read More.
Who can attend mediation sessions?
One of the great things about mediation is that you can invite professionals to the mediation sessions (by agreement of both parties, of course) who can be very helpful with joint questions. All we ask is that you let us know in advance who will come with you to each session. Read More.
What papers does the court require in a divorce or family law case?
Every divorce starts with a Petition. The Petition 'package' is a set of papers that lists your address, the date of your marriage, the names and dates of birth of your children, an extremely basic outline of your property, and whether or not you'd like spousal support, among other things. Read More.
When do we file the divorce petition?
It isn't necessary to reach an agreement before the Petition is filed. Many people file the Petition before even starting mediation because California has a mandatory six month waiting period to finalize a divorce - which leaves plenty of time to negotiate an agreement. Read More.
If I've already filed divorce papers, can I still mediate at Peace Talks?
Yes. Peace Talks Mediation Services helps many Couples who are already in the process of a divorce, custody, modification hearing or court case. We can help you resolve your issues so that you can submit your agreement to court and avoid expensive litigation and court dates.
If I already have a court date, can I still mediate my divorce or custody issue at Peace Talks?
Yes. Just let us know about your court date when you call so that we can schedule your mediation session as soon as possible. When you reach an agreement in mediation, you can submit it to court and cancel your court date. When you reach an agreement in mediation, you can avoid litigation and having to go to court.
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