Mediation Guiding You Through Difficult Times

Ventura & Oxnard Divorce Mediators

Offering Alternative Resolutions to Divorce in California

Our mediation program is led by Donna Carol Santo, a Certified Specialist, Family Law California Board of Legal Specialization and Certified Mediator through the Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University School of Law, who will focus on your specific needs and will work with you to develop a plan that is tailored to you and your family.

We approach the mediation process with the firm belief that you are more suited to make decisions for your family than the court. We believe that empowering you to work through conflict, evaluate your interests and generate options will help you arrive at a resolution that meets your needs and can create a platform for improved communication in the future.

Call today to get started on your case with a free consultation!

Is Mediation the Right Path for Me?

Known as a form of alternative dispute resolution, divorce mediation involves assistance from a neutral third party, also known as a mediator. Divorce mediation offers benefits that going to court does not, including the ability to resolve your marital issue(s) without interference from the court.

In the event of a contested divorce, you have two options:

1. Go to court to have a judge settle disputed matters with your spouse

If the court resolves your issues, there is a chance you may not like the court's decision.

2. Retain a divorce mediator to resolve differences with your spouse outside of court

Divorce mediation, on the other hand, allows you and your spouse to resolve your matters together.

The Benefits of Having a Divorce Mediator

The mediator is responsible for helping you and your spouse reach an amicable agreement about issues such as:

Spousal support
Child custody
Asset and property division

How to Prepare for Mediation

Preparing for mediation is essential for its success. When parties come together for their first mediation session, it is not uncommon for them to feel overwhelmed with information. By preparing ahead of time, they eliminate some of that strain.

Here are a few ways that you can prepare for mediation:

Compile a list of questions, comments, or concerns for both the mediator and the opposing party
Create a proposed parenting plan if it applies to your case
If applicable, speak with your lawyer before and after the session to get more clarification
Research the laws and statutes that apply to your specific issues or questions

The Benefits of Divorce Mediation

There are various benefits to divorce mediation. Some benefits include the following:

Confidential - Mediation sessions, unlike court proceedings, are kept private and are not a matter of public record.
Less expensive - Mediation is generally much less expensive than litigation. Court appearances and the cost of additional legal hours can add up quickly.
Less time-consuming - You can resolve your marital disputes in as few as 3 to 4 mediation sessions. Mediation is typically completed in a few weeks or months, whereas a contested divorce can take a year or longer to reach a resolution.
Reach a resolution with your spouse - If you would like to be more in control when it comes to finding solutions to your marital issues, then mediation is for you. Court litigation will not end in a win-win solution, but mediation can – if you and your spouse are willing to work towards this.
Easier on the child(ren) in the family - The odds of you and your spouse being able to co-parent increase if you can resolve your issues through mediation. Mediation also keeps child custody matters out of court, which is healthier for your child(ren) in general as court proceedings can be lengthy and stressful on both you and your spouse.

What to Expect in a Mediation Session

Mediation sessions do vary according to each couple’s specific needs and may be addressed by category in different sessions. Some examples of these categories are financial, parenting, and property mediation sessions. The following steps will be taken during a typical mediation session:

The mediator will explain the process to both parties
The mediator will ask each spouse to bring up relevant issues and concerns
Each spouse will be given the opportunity to make a statement about their situation
The mediator will determine where you and your spouse agree, and which issues you need to resolve
Everyone will determine a plan to figure out how to best resolve these issues
The mediator will help you and your spouse negotiate
Once your negotiations are finished and you have resolved your issues, the mediator will write an agreement and, in many cases, a parenting plan.

Thinking About Divorce Mediation? Call Us Today!

Divorce mediation presents many benefits to couples determined to resolve their issues themselves and stay out of court. If you are considering divorce mediation to help you resolve your marital disputes, contact our office today. We strive to assist our clients in finding resolutions that are both fair and amicable.

A Note About Mediation

At SANTO MEHAS A Professional Law Corporation, we also offer mediation services to make your divorce as cost-effective as possible. Not only is Donna Carol Santo a board-certified family law specialist via the State Bar of California, but she is also a certified mediator through Pepperdine Law's Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution.

Our team understands that you are the most suitable person to make decisions for your family, as opposed to the court. We use mediation to help you work through conflict outside of court, which will save you time and money while helping you improve communication for the future. When you and your spouse resolve matters together, you are protecting your family and your privacy — all with the help of an experienced, compassionate mediator.

Mediation gives you more control of your situation and sets you up for success, especially when it comes to co-parenting. Our firm always puts your children’s best interests first, and mediation can be easier on the entire family than an extended, stressful court battle.

Of course, mediation is not an option for every divorce, but if you want another way through, we are here for you.

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Navigating Divorce Options?

Not sure whether litigated divorce or mediation is right for you? Rest assured that our seasoned attorneys and mediators will help you make the right choice for yourself and your family.

Contact us online today or call us at (805) 222-7818 to book an initial consultation.

An Emphasis on Strong Family Values

Our firm places a strong emphasis on the importance of family values. The balance between maintaining these family values and generating a better future for you and your family is one we strive to achieve with each case. Our values consist of:

Holistic Approach

We aim to resolve conflict so you and your family can move on peacefully. We approach all aspects of a case, including the emotional, financial, and mental components, and advocate with you throughout.
Collaboration

Collaborative divorce can be a great option for spouses looking to share joint custody of their child/children and the court looks favorably on this decision. When possible, we strive to come to a resolution that will benefit both spouses.
Children Come First

We respect the fact that our clients trust us with important life-decisions. We strive to be as understanding and empathetic as we can with you and treat you like we would treat a close family member.
Compassionate Legal Services

We respect the fact that our clients trust us with important life-decisions. We strive to be as understanding and empathetic as we can with you and treat you like we would treat a close family member.

Our Satisfied Clients

Real Stories from Real People

“I’d choose her services again without hesitation”
“I’d choose her services again without hesitation”

- Parker C.
“Donna guided me through at a comfortable pace on both a personal and professional level.”
I was going through a difficult divorce, one which was stressful to both my wife and myself, so I needed to find solutions which would be fair and just and to relieve the tension. I was living in the Bay Area at the time and did much of the work on the phone, on my computer and at the Santo Mehas office in Ventura. I had heard of the reputation of the Santo Mehas law firm and trusted Donna as a person of integrity and sensitivity which is who I needed to get through this difficult process. I was not looking forward to working with the personal sensitive issues or the introspection necessary to get through this difficult process. Donna guided me through at a comfortable pace on both a personal and professional level. The case ended in a fair and respectable settlement for both parties and my ex and I are still friends years later. I am much happier for knowing that this is from a previous life and I have moved on. I still keep in contact with the family law lawyers at Santo Mehas as well as my ex.

- Phillip M.
“During an emotional and stressful trial, she was the voice of calm and reason.”
“Donna Santo has gone above and beyond the call of duty. She evaluated the case and set a road map towards a realistic goal. Donna continuously deescalated personal issues and conflicts while keeping the focus on the welfare of the child involved.”

- Eli G.
“5 stars is not enough.”
5 stars is not enough. Mr. Mehas and Ms. Santo are the A team of attorneys. They are comprehensive, strategic, one step ahead, and a powerful team! When you hire the Santo Mehas firm to manage your case, you have hired a team of legal advocates who care, who will keep you informed, who will fight for you, and be the voice you need to represent you. Without the help of the entire firm, I know that I would not have had the successful outcomes I have had. They took on an extremely difficult case and encountered issues that no one expected and few had ever seen. They worked tirelessly to make sure that the truth was told and presented it perfectly. They stood by every one of my requests and guided me through the entire lengthy process. Though there were challenges, they strategically and diligently with compassion met them head on and never faltered. Their expertise and thoroughness provided us the pathway we needed to rise to victory. I am proud to be a client and will continue to retain them for all legal matters that may arise as I know I am in the best hands.

- Christy B.
“I would definitely recommend their firm for anyone!”
The Santo Mehas team has been exceptional in handling my case. They are very experienced, have given me good advice and representation, and they have worked on my particularly complex case almost as if I were family. They have shown support beyond professionally, but also personally. They have worked with me financially, and are very fair and understanding. I would definitely recommend their firm for anyone who needs family law assistance!

- Heather L.
“Donna obtained a good result for me, for which I am ever grateful.”
I met Donna Santo over 20 years ago, when I needed an attorney to represent me in a post-judgment custody dispute trailing across three states due to my nomadic military background. As prior military I had a great respect for the courts. I met Donna first, and she scared me. But of course that was what I wanted: a sharp, assertive attorney. The onset of that custodial dispute marks one of the most horrible periods of my life. Fortunately, Donna and her team were my guides as well as my advocates. To this day, when on occasion I have needed a family law attorney, I have called Donna. She has always obtained a good result for me.

- Carla H.
“I highly recommend them!”
“The attorneys and staff were professional and helped guide me through a difficult process. The fees were very reasonable and the entire process took much less time than I anticipated. I highly recommend them!”

- Michael S.
“I can't even begin to express my gratitude and appreciation for them.”
“I can't even begin to express my gratitude and appreciation for them.”

- Roslyn F.

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