In recent years, more than 55% of California marriages end in divorce. Approximately 90% of cases are settled with help of a qualified, private mediator. A mediated settlement is more enduring than a judgment issued by the court because the parties worked and cooperated in reaching the agreement themselves.  When the court issues its ruling after hearing, often one party believes that the court rendered a judgment without fully knowing the parties' circumstances.  The parties are more likely to be satisfied with the outcome of a mediated judgment. The cost of mediation averages less than a third of the cost of litigation. Through mediation, the entire divorce process can be resolved without the parties ever setting foot in a courtroom.

The court process can be impersonal as well as expensive. The court can make long-term decisions over families where often the dynamics of the families are not fully understood nor can be fully explained. Mediation keeps the decision making in the hands of the parties. It allows the spouses themselves to then make their own decisions for the future about themselves and their children.

The Mediation Process

Alan R. Silverman provides private mediation services. In these circumstances, the firm does not represent either of the parties. Mr. Silverman meets with both parties with the goal of reaching a settlement acceptable to them. This can occur either with or without the parties' attorneys present. At the conclusion of mediation, the firm drafts all the necessary documents to conclude the divorce action and obtains the parties’ signatures on them. Mr. Silverman is available to work with the parties after the mediation has concluded to assist them in resolving disputes that have arisen since the mediation.

At Silverman & Silverman, the attorneys believe that when parties agree on the outcome of a case, the agreement is often more durable, tailored to the needs of the parties than a decision made by the Court, and more enduring. For these reasons, mediation and collaborative law may provide the parties with efficient, cost-effective ways of reaching a settlement.