SLC Stephen L. Cawelti Family Law Attorney
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Los Angeles Divorce Mediation Attorney

Divorce does not need to involve a judge.

Mediation offers another path, one with less conflict, less expense, and more control.

A California Board-Certified Family Law Specialist, Stephen Cawelti has helped hundreds of couples resolve their divorces through mediation. He serves both as a neutral mediator and as an attorney representing one spouse through the mediation process.

Mediation is available virtually or in person at Stephen’s Burbank office.

Why clients trust Cawelti Law

Stephen L. Cawelti, Los Angeles divorce mediation attorney
Experienced Mediation

Experience Matters in Divorce Mediation

Mediation isn’t about giving in or splitting everything down the middle. It’s about understanding which issues matter most, where there is room to compromise, and how to move toward resolution.

Stephen works in mediation in two roles: as a neutral mediator helping couples reach an agreement, and as an attorney representing individual clients when another neutral mediator is conducting the mediation.

After 20+ years of mediating complex California divorces, Stephen’s approach is simple: prioritize what matters, compromise where it makes sense, and keep moving toward resolution.

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Is Mediation Right For You?

Why You Should Consider Mediation When Getting a Divorce — Stephen Cawelti video thumbnail
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At our firm we believe that divorce does not have to end in court and a lot can be accomplished through cooperation and collaboration in the right circumstances. Mediation allows couples to settle their divorce out of court, keep their personal information out of the public record, and save a significant amount of money and time. It also tends to be much less stressful.

Mediation is when two parties come together and hire a third-party mediator. The mediator is neutral and does not act as either party’s attorney, but helps them both to reach an agreement and navigate the law. Our firm specializes in divorce mediation and has helped countless individuals keep their divorces out of court and settle intelligently.

Mediation is a great fit for those who are looking to keep their divorce out of court and who want to maintain more control over the outcomes of their divorce. A couple does not need to agree on everything or even most things in order for mediation to be the right fit. What they do need is a willingness to compromise and reach an agreement. What’s amazing about mediation is that even if all of the elements of the case are not settled during the mediation process, it still saves both parties a lot of time and money and allows people to have a judge resolve maybe one or two issues in court versus every element of their divorce case.

There are so many advantages to mediation. The most important are obviously that it saves time, it’s much more cost efficient, and less stressful. At our firm we don’t believe that divorce has to ruin your life or even your relationship. Mediation is a way to ensure that your rights and interests are protected and the final decision is out of the hands of a judge.

When selecting a mediator I recommend that an individual look for either a family law attorney or a mediation specialist. Be wary of mental health professionals who don’t actually know the law. The nice thing about hiring a family law attorney is that they will know the ins and outs of divorce law so they’ll be able to ensure that your agreement will be legally sound. They will also think through many of the things the judge will consider, so if part of your case does end up needing to go to court you’ll have settled a good chunk of your case outside of the courtroom.

If you’re interested in pursuing mediation, the best approach is for both you and your former partner to schedule a consultation. I will then meet with both of you either virtually or in person to determine if mediation is the right fit for you and explain the mediation process. If we determine that it is, then you’ll sign a fee agreement and start on the mediation path.

The Mediation Process

How Divorce Mediation Works

In mediation, a neutral mediator helps both spouses identify the issues that need to be resolved, communicate about those issues, and explore possible agreements.

01

Identify the Issues

Determine what needs to be resolved, which may include property and debts, spousal support, child custody, parenting time, or child support.

02

Exchange Information

Both spouses gather and exchange the financial and other information needed to make informed decisions. Required financial disclosures still apply in a mediated California divorce.

03

Work Toward Agreement

The mediator helps both spouses (with their attorneys if involved) identify areas of agreement, work through disagreements, and explore possible resolutions.

04

Document the Agreement

When agreements are reached, they can be documented and incorporated into the paperwork needed to finalize the divorce.

Is Mediation Right for You?

You Don’t Have to Agree on Everything to Consider Mediation

One of the biggest misconceptions about mediation is that it’s only for couples who have already worked everything out.

It isn’t.

The purpose of mediation is to help you work through the issues you haven’t resolved.

The Benefits of Mediation Include

Greater Control

In mediation, you and your spouse decide whether to accept a proposed resolution rather than asking a judge to make every decision for you.

Complete Privacy

When a divorce goes through court, all of the proceedings are available to the public. Mediation allows for complete privacy; the only people who know the details of your divorce are you, your spouse, and the mediator.

Preservation of Relationships

For parents who will continue co-parenting after the divorce, resolving disputes through agreement may help preserve a more workable relationship moving forward.

Reduced Cost

Fighting everything out in court is the best way to drain your pocketbook. Mediation can drastically reduce the cost of a divorce when compared to litigation.

Faster Outcome

Divorce proceedings can drag on, sometimes taking upwards of a year or longer to finalize. Divorce mediation, however, may only take a couple of months. Instead of having to wait for court dates, you have the flexibility to schedule meetings to work with your schedule.

Frequently Asked Divorce Mediation Questions

Do we have to agree on everything before starting mediation?

No. Helping spouses work through unresolved issues is one of the primary purposes of mediation.

You may already agree about some parts of your divorce and disagree strongly about others. Mediation can focus on the issues that remain unresolved, including property, support, custody, or parenting time.

You remain in control of whether you ultimately accept a proposed agreement.

Does Stephen serve as a mediator or represent clients in mediation?

Both.

Stephen can serve as the neutral mediator helping both spouses work toward an agreement. In that role, he does not represent either spouse.

He can also represent an individual spouse when another neutral mediator is conducting the mediation, providing legal advice and advocating for that client’s interests throughout the process.

Can divorce mediation be done virtually?

Yes. Stephen offers virtual mediation as well as in-person mediation at his Burbank office.

Virtual mediation can allow spouses to participate from different locations while working through the same issues they would address during an in-person mediation.

What issues can be resolved in divorce mediation?

Couples can use mediation to work through many of the same issues that would otherwise need to be resolved in court, including:

You do not necessarily have to resolve every issue at once. Reaching agreement on some disputes can still narrow the issues that remain and save a substantial amount of time and money.

What happens if we can’t reach an agreement in mediation?

Mediation does not require you to accept an agreement.

If you resolve some issues but not others, the agreements you do reach may narrow the disputes that remain. Issues that cannot be resolved may need to be addressed through further negotiation or ultimately decided by the court.

Is divorce mediation confidential in California?

California law provides significant confidentiality protections for mediation communications.

That confidentiality can allow spouses to discuss possible resolutions more openly than they might in a public courtroom proceeding.

There are important legal rules and exceptions surrounding mediation confidentiality, so the exact protections should be discussed with the mediator or your own attorney when appropriate.

How long does divorce mediation take?

There is no standard timeline.

How long mediation takes depends on factors such as the number and complexity of the issues, the information that needs to be exchanged, and how quickly the spouses are able to work through their disagreements.

Some cases require relatively few mediation sessions, while more complicated financial, property, or parenting disputes may require more time.

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