California divorce mediation, close to home
Resolvium mediators work with couples across California, in person in several communities and online anywhere in the state. Mediation can help you settle parenting, support and property decisions together, often faster and with less conflict than going to court.
- 6 local markets
- 4 mediators serving California
- Online anywhere in the state
Find your California mediator
Pick the community closest to you to meet your mediator and see how mediation often works there.
- Orange County
Irvine & Orange County
Divorce mediation in Irvine →
Kevin E. Johnson(949) 603-1007 - South Orange County
Dana Point
Divorce mediation in Dana Point →
Ben Casteel(949) 566-1690 - Los Angeles County
Pasadena
Divorce mediation in Pasadena →Kevin E. Johnson(949) 603-1007 - Central Coast
San Luis Obispo
Divorce mediation in San Luis Obispo →Kevin E. Johnson(949) 603-1007 - Solano County
Vacaville & Solano
Divorce mediation in Vacaville →Kevin E. Johnson(949) 603-1007 - Calaveras County
Valley Springs
Divorce mediation in Valley Springs →Local line(279) 242-2686
Meet the mediators serving California
Neutral, trained mediators who help both of you reach decisions you can live with.
Kevin E. Johnson
Partner, Irvine- Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, mediation training
- Certified Professional Coach (IPEC)
Irvine, Pasadena, San Luis Obispo, VacavilleBen Casteel
Affiliate, Dana Point- Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, Master of Dispute Resolution
- Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, Master of Legal Studies
Dana Point and South Orange County
Tim Dowling
Principal Mediator- Pepperdine Caruso School of Law
- Northwestern University, divorce mediation and dispute resolution
Affiliated with the Los Angeles City Attorney's Dispute Resolution Program
Rendi G. Alexander, J.D.
Partner- Juris Doctor, Georgia State University
- Master of Laws (LL.M.), The George Washington University
Has worked with Orange County clients alongside Kevin
How divorce mediation often works in California
Every divorce is different. These are the topics most California couples work through in mediation.
Property and debts
California is a community property state. In many cases, what you earned or acquired during the marriage is treated as shared, while some property may be separate. Your mediator can help you sort out which is which and how you might divide it.
Parenting
California often looks at legal custody (decision-making) and physical custody (where children live) separately. In mediation you can build a parenting plan around your family's schedules, holidays and routines.
Support
Child support in California generally follows a statewide guideline, and spousal support can depend on a range of factors. Mediation gives you room to talk through options, and your mediator can explain how the rules may apply to you.
Your written agreement
The decisions you reach are often written into a marital settlement agreement that can be submitted to the court as part of your divorce. Your mediator can walk you through what that step may look like.
Mediating online can help when spouses live in different parts of the state, from the Central Coast to Gold Country.
Three steps, at your pace
Free case review
A short, no-pressure conversation about your situation and whether mediation may be a good fit.
Mediation sessions
You and your spouse work through each decision with a neutral mediator, in person or by video.
Your agreement
Your mediator helps put what you agreed on in writing, ready for the next step with the court.
Mediation is often the more affordable way to divorce
Many couples don’t realize they can settle their divorce outside the courtroom. This quick estimate compares what court and mediation could cost for a situation like yours.
What Does Divorce Cost? Mediation vs. Court
Three questions. No email required.
Save about $28,000
by mediating instead of going to court
Roughly 93% less, and about 14 months sooner
Where the court money goes
- Attorney fees
- $19,500
- Discovery costs
- $5,400
- Court filing fees
- $3,600
- Experts and evaluators
- $1,500
- Email and phone support
- Billed hourly
- Total
- $30,000
Where the mediation money goes
- Estimated mediation fees
- $1,490
- Court filing fees
- $500
- Email and phone support
- Included
- Total
- $1,990
Free, 30 minutes, no obligation. Bring the numbers above and we will talk through your situation.
Court filing fees average around $500 and vary by jurisdiction. Estimated ranges are based on typical divorce cases we’ve seen; your actual costs depend on your situation.
What California clients say
Unedited Google reviews from our Irvine and Orange County clients.
Mr Johnson made a difficult process feel manageable. He was calm, fair, and incredibly effective at helping us communicate and reach a balanced agreement. His professionalism and compassion truly stood out. I’m very grateful for his guidance and would highly recommend him to anyone.
I worked with Kevin Johnson and Rendi Alexander in the mediation process of my divorce. They both displayed exceptional professionalism and had a thorough understanding of the mediation process. Kevin wielded an exemplary level of empathy and patience at all stages of there process and helped to alleviate my anxiety and concerns regarding the outcome. I would highly recommend using Resolvium and Kevin to bring quick closure to what is normally a lived changing issue for everyone involved.
I highly recommend Resolvium Divorce Mediation. The process was clear, professional, and handled with genuine care. They made a difficult situation feel manageable, and I appreciated how efficient and respectful everything was from start to finish. The mediator was neutral, supportive, and helped us reach an agreement without unnecessary conflict or stress. If you’re looking for a fair and affordable alternative to court, Resolvium is an excellent choice.
California divorce mediation questions
Can we mediate if we live in different parts of California?
Is a mediated agreement binding in California?
How does community property affect mediation?
Do we need attorneys to mediate?
How much does divorce mediation cost in California?
What if my city isn't listed?
Ready to talk it through?
A free case review is a short, no-pressure conversation. Your mediator can tell you how mediation may apply to your situation.