Collaborative Divorce & Mediation in California

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What’s a Collaborative Divorce in California?

A collaborative law case is made up of four-way meetings in which the parties and their lawyers work together to resolve your divorce, property division, custody and support, and other related concerns, outside of the courtroom. Each attorney still represents his or her own client and their interests.

However, both attorneys focus on the big picture of helping you resolve your divorce in an open and respectful manner in a neutral setting, striving for fairness.

In keeping with the principles of cooperation necessary to collaborative law, we’ll work with you to invent solutions and negotiate fairly in order to reach a mutually agreed upon settlement.

Why Minella Law Group?

SKILLED REPRESENTATION

  • High Asset Divorce
  • Division of Marital Assets

PROGRESSIVE ATTORNEYS

  • Contested Divorce
  • Uncontested Divorce

PERSONAL CLIENT SERVICE

  • LGBTQ+ Divorce
  • Gray Divorce

Guided divorce strategy for the life you’re building next.

Divorce mediation is a confidential process outside of court in which a mediator acts as a neutral third party, facilitating the mutual resolution of divorce-related issues. Mediation can provide many advantages, generally saving time and being less costly than litigation.

It’s benefits may continue well into the future because mediation can cultivate a more cooperative relationship that endures after the divorce, greatly benefiting your children.

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Did You Know

What does a mediation attorney do?

An attorney who helps you prepare for, navigate, and protect your interests during mediation—without necessarily turning the case into a courtroom war.

Negotiations

Don’t get steamrolled, play on a level field with the right strategy

Settlements

We’ll make sure it’s clear, enforceable, not vague and fully complete

Minella Law Group Pricing: What to Expect

Initial Consultation

This allows us to understand your goals and recommend a clear path forward that's best for your scenario.

Complimentary

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By The Hour

These rates are based on the attorney’s experience but more importantly, the complexity of your matter.

$395 / hr +

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Retainer

Range depends on the complexity of the case, level of conflict, and whether your matter involves high net worth or complex financial issues in San Diego and surrounding areas.

$5,000–$15,000+

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Custom Solution

We'll prepare the game plan you need to get the results you want.

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Our Divorce Services

High Asset Divorce

We don’t just handle divorce—we strategically manage complex financial transitions for high-net-worth individuals. If your case involves millions in assets, business ownership, executive compensation, or real estate portfolios, the stakes are too high for anything less than elite legal strategy.

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Our Divorce Services

Division of Marital Assets

Generally speaking, all property that you and your spouse acquire during the marriage while “domiciled” (residing for most purposes) in California is community property. This means that all earnings, assets, and debts during a marriage are subject to equal division between the spouses upon divorce.

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Ready to Reach Out To Us

Getting our help is easy, just fill out this short form and one of our qualified team members will reach out to start the conversation within a day.

*Please note that an initial consultation is not intended to provide legal advice, as we do not represent you at this stage and are not yet your legal counsel. The purpose of the consultation is to understand your situation, assess the nature of your case, and explore whether our firm is the right fit for your representation.

All submissions are confidential

What to Know

More About Mediation in CA

A mediator does not make decisions for you and your spouse, and parties are often encouraged to have their own attorneys since the mediator’s role is to assist in reaching agreement and to provide legal information.  A mediator does not represent either spouse, and consequently, the mediator does not give the parties advice.

The resulting agreement is not required to be fair to both spouses, or to protect the legal rights of both spouses.

If you retain Minella Law Group for a divorce mediation, our attorneys advise you, prepare documents to be submitted to the court, consult with you on complex issues such as property division, and review the agreement. We will also attend part or all of your divorce mediation, at your option.

Divorce Resource Page

Frequently Asked Questions About Collaborative Divorce & Mediation

We’re sure you have questions! This isn’t easy and the best outcome starts with knowledge. Here are the top questions we get asked about collaborative divorce & mediation.

What is collaborative divorce?

Collaborative divorce is a process in which both spouses and their attorneys work together in four-way meetings to resolve divorce-related issues outside of court. Each spouse still has their own attorney, but the process is designed to focus on open, respectful problem-solving and settlement.

How is collaborative divorce different from mediation?

In collaborative divorce, each party has their own attorney actively participating in the process, and the case is built around joint meetings aimed at reaching a negotiated resolution. In mediation, the mediator acts as a neutral third party and does not represent either spouse or make decisions for them.

What does a mediator do in a divorce case?

A mediator facilitates discussion and helps the spouses work toward a mutual resolution of divorce-related issues. The mediator can provide legal information, but does not represent either spouse, does not give either party legal advice, and does not make the decisions for them.

Is divorce mediation confidential?

Yes. The page describes divorce mediation as a confidential process that takes place outside of court.

Do I still need my own attorney if I go to mediation?

Often, yes. The page explains that parties are often encouraged to have their own attorneys because the mediator does not represent either spouse and does not provide legal advice.

Still Have Questions?

Here’s a blog post we did that answers ten more questions you may be facing as part of your divorce.

10 More Divorce FAQs
10 More Divorce FAQs
10 More Divorce FAQs