PROFESSIONAL DIVORCE MEDIATION
Over 40 years of experience in Los Angeles and Ventura County Family Law.
Meet Your Divorce Mediator: Leon F. Bennett
With over 40 years of family law experience in Los Angeles and Ventura County, Attorney Leon F. Bennett has guided thousands of California couples through the divorce mediation process. As both a skilled litigator and certified mediator, Mr. Bennett brings a unique perspective to mediation—understanding what happens when cases go to court gives him the insight to help couples reach fair agreements outside of it.
Mr. Bennett has served as a mediator for family law matters for over 40 years, earning a reputation throughout the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles area for his ability to facilitate productive conversations between spouses, even in highly contentious situations. His mediation practice is built on the belief that divorcing couples deserve control over their own futures.
What is Divorce Mediation?
Divorce mediation is a voluntary, confidential process where a neutral third party—the mediator—helps divorcing spouses negotiate and resolve the issues in their divorce. Unlike divorce litigation, where a judge makes decisions for you, mediation empowers couples to create their own solutions.
In California, mediation can address virtually every aspect of divorce, including property division under California’s community property laws, spousal support calculations based on Family Code Section 4320 factors, child custody and visitation schedules, and child support determined by state guidelines. The mediator does not represent either party individually—instead, they facilitate communication and help both spouses understand their options under California law.
It’s also important to understand the differences between divorce mediation vs. litigation in California.
At the Law Offices of Leon F. Bennett, we offer mediation services to couples throughout Los Angeles County and Ventura County.
The Benefits of Choosing Divorce Mediation
After mediating hundreds of divorces over three decades, we’ve seen firsthand how mediation benefits families in ways that litigation simply cannot match:
- Significant Cost Savings: Mediation typically costs a fraction of what couples spend on litigation. While a contested divorce in Los Angeles can easily exceed $25,000-$50,000 per spouse in attorney fees, mediated divorces often resolve for a fraction of that amount.
- Faster Resolution: Los Angeles family courts are notoriously backlogged. A litigated divorce can take 18 months to several years. Mediated divorces can often conclude within 2-4 months, depending on the complexity of issues involved.
- Greater Privacy: Court proceedings are public record. Mediation is confidential. Your financial details, parenting disputes, and personal matters stay private.
- You Maintain Control: In litigation, a judge who doesn’t know your family makes final decisions. In mediation, you and your spouse craft solutions tailored to your specific situation and children’s needs.
- Better Long-Term Outcomes: Couples who reach agreements through mediation report higher satisfaction and better compliance with terms. This is especially important when children are involved and co-parenting will continue for years.
- Reduced Conflict and Stress: The adversarial nature of litigation often escalates conflict. Mediation’s collaborative approach helps preserve relationships, which is vital for families with children.
The Divorce Mediation Process: What to Expect
Understanding the mediation process helps couples feel prepared and reduces anxiety. Here’s how mediation works at the Law Offices of Leon F. Bennett:
Step 1: Initial Consultation
The process begins with an initial consultation where we explain how mediation works, answer your questions, and assess whether mediation is appropriate for your situation. This meeting helps both spouses understand the process and make an informed decision about whether to proceed.
Step 2: Information Gathering
Both parties complete financial disclosures required under California law (including the Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure). We gather information about assets, debts, income, expenses, and any concerns related to children. Complete and honest disclosure is essential for fair agreements.
Step 3: Mediation Sessions
During mediation sessions, the mediator guides discussions on each issue: property division, support, and custody matters. Mr. Bennett’s 35+ years of family law experience allows him to help couples understand how California courts typically address various issues, empowering them to make informed decisions. Sessions may be conducted in-person at our Woodland Hills office or via secure video conference.
Step 4: Agreement Drafting
Once agreements are reached, our office drafts a comprehensive Marital Settlement Agreement reflecting all terms. We prepare all necessary court documents, including the Petition for Dissolution, and file them with the appropriate Los Angeles or Ventura County court.
Step 5: Court Approval and Judgment
The agreement is submitted to the court for approval. In most cases, the judge approves mediated agreements without requiring a court appearance. Once approved, the agreement becomes a binding court order, and your divorce is finalized after California’s mandatory 6-month waiting period from the date of filing.
Is Divorce Mediation Right for You?
Mediation is an excellent option for many divorcing couples, but it’s not right for every situation. Based on our extensive experience, mediation works best when:
- Both spouses are willing to participate in good faith negotiations
- There is no history of domestic violence or significant power imbalance
- Both parties are committed to honest financial disclosure
- You want to minimize conflict, especially for the sake of children
- You prefer to maintain control over decisions rather than having a judge decide
- Cost and time efficiency are important priorities
Mediation may not be appropriate in cases involving domestic violence, substance abuse issues affecting judgment, refusal by one party to participate honestly, or situations where one spouse is hiding assets. In these cases, litigation may be necessary to protect your rights. During your initial consultation, we’ll help you determine whether mediation is the right path for your situation.
What Issues Can Be Resolved Through Mediation?
Our divorce mediation services address all aspects of divorce, including:
Child Custody and Visitation
We help parents create detailed parenting plans that address physical custody schedules, legal custody decisions (education, healthcare, religious upbringing), holiday and vacation schedules, communication protocols, and provisions for handling future disputes. Our goal is to help you develop arrangements that serve your children’s best interests while respecting both parents’ roles.
Child Support
California uses a guideline formula for child support based on income, time-sharing, and other factors. We help couples understand how the guidelines apply to their situation and reach agreements that ensure children’s financial needs are met.
Spousal Support (Alimony)
Spousal support in California involves numerous factors under Family Code Section 4320. We guide discussions about amount, duration, and terms—whether temporary support during the divorce or long-term support arrangements.
Property Division
California is a community property state, meaning most assets acquired during marriage are presumed to be owned equally. We help couples identify, characterize, and fairly divide real estate, retirement accounts, businesses, investments, and other assets—as well as debts. Learn more about property rights in California divorce.
Online Divorce Mediation Services
The Law Offices of Leon F. Bennett offers secure online mediation services for couples who prefer the convenience of remote participation. Our virtual mediation options provide:
- Flexibility: Participate from home, your office, or anywhere with a secure internet connection
- Reduced Conflict: Physical separation can help reduce tension during difficult conversations
- Same Professional Guidance: You receive the same experienced mediation services as in-person sessions
- Secure Platform: We use encrypted video conferencing to protect your privacy and confidentiality
Virtual mediation has become increasingly popular among our clients throughout Southern California, particularly for those with demanding work schedules or who live in distant communities. Contact our office to discuss whether online mediation is right for your situation.
How Much Does Divorce Mediation Cost?
One of the most significant advantages of divorce mediation is the cost savings compared to traditional litigation. While every case is different, mediation is consistently more affordable than going to court.
The total cost of mediation depends on several factors: the complexity of your assets and debts, whether children are involved, how many issues require negotiation, and how quickly you and your spouse can reach agreements. Simple cases with few assets and no children may resolve in just a few sessions, while more complex cases involving businesses, multiple properties, or contested custody issues naturally require more time.
During your initial consultation, we’ll discuss your specific situation and provide a realistic estimate of the time and cost involved. We’re committed to transparency—there are no hidden fees, and we’ll keep you informed throughout the process.
Contact our office at (818) 888-7731 to schedule a consultation and learn more about mediation costs for your situation.
Mediation vs. Collaborative Divorce
Both mediation and collaborative divorce offer alternatives to traditional litigation, but they work differently. In mediation, one neutral professional guides both spouses through negotiations. In collaborative divorce, each spouse has their own collaboratively-trained attorney, and all parties commit to reaching an agreement without court involvement.
Both approaches are less adversarial than litigation, but collaborative divorce involves separate legal representation throughout the process. The Law Offices of Leon F. Bennett offers both mediation and collaborative divorce services—we can help you determine which approach best fits your situation.
Schedule Your Mediation Consultation Today
For over 35 years, the Law Offices of Leon F. Bennett has helped families throughout Los Angeles and Ventura County navigate divorce with dignity and respect. Attorney Leon Bennett’s extensive mediation experience—combined with his deep knowledge of California family law—makes him uniquely qualified to guide you through this challenging time.
Whether your divorce is straightforward or involves complex assets, custody disputes, or high-conflict dynamics, we’re here to help you explore whether mediation is the right choice for your family.
Contact our Woodland Hills office today at (818) 888-7731 or complete our online consultation request form. We serve clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, including Encino, Calabasas, Sherman Oaks, Thousand Oaks, and all of Los Angeles and Ventura County.
FAQs About Divorce Mediation
The timeline varies based on case complexity and how quickly spouses can reach agreements. Simple cases may conclude in 2-4 sessions over several weeks. More complex cases involving significant assets, business valuations, or contested custody issues may take several months. However, even complex mediated divorces typically resolve much faster than litigated cases in Los Angeles or Ventura County courts.
The mediator is neutral and cannot provide legal advice to either party individually. While mediation can proceed without individual attorneys, we recommend that each spouse consult with independent counsel to review any agreements before signing. This ensures you fully understand your rights and the implications of the terms you’re agreeing to.
Not every issue must be resolved in mediation for it to be valuable. Many couples successfully mediate most issues and litigate only one or two contested matters. This hybrid approach still saves significant time and money compared to litigating everything. If mediation reaches an impasse on critical issues, the Law Offices of Leon F. Bennett can also represent you in divorce litigation.
Agreements reached in mediation are memorialized in a written Marital Settlement Agreement, which is submitted to the court. Once the judge approves and incorporates the agreement into your divorce judgment, it becomes a legally binding court order, enforceable like any other court judgment.
Yes, in many cases. One of the mediator’s primary roles is facilitating productive communication. With over 30 years of mediation experience, Mr. Bennett has helped countless couples navigate difficult conversations and find common ground. The structured mediation environment often enables better communication than couples can achieve on their own.
Yes to both. Mediation can begin before any court papers are filed, allowing you to reach agreements first and then file an uncontested divorce. Alternatively, couples already involved in divorce proceedings can turn to mediation at any stage to resolve outstanding issues. Many couples in active litigation engage a mediator to help settle their case before trial.
