Kali@Perkins-FamilyLaw.com

(707) 621-5551

125 E Mill St, Ukiah, CA 95482

Perkins Family Law, PC - Ukiah, CA
Schedule Consultation

Call Now

Schedule Consultation

MEDIATION

Perkins Family Law - Mediation Services in Ukiah, Ca

Mediation

Resolve Differences, Preserve Dignity

Mediation allows separating spouses to resolve issues in a private, respectful setting with the guidance of a neutral professional. Instead of leaving life-changing decisions to a judge, mediation keeps the power with the parties. You and your spouse remain the decision-makers, supported by a process that encourages understanding, fairness, creativity, cooperation, and solutions that work in real life.

At Perkins Family Law, PC, we believe mediation can be a powerful tool for families seeking a less adversarial, more cost-effective approach to all types of family law matters. We offer two types of mediation — solo mediation and co-mediation— each designed to meet your family’s unique needs.

Solo mediation means that there will be one neutral attorney mediator to help guide both sides through a process of understanding and creating solutions. This will occur over a period of time, involving usually 1-2 hour sessions, at a pace that is comfortable to the parties. Outside consultations may be necessary for complex issues but usually aren’t required.

Co-mediation means that each side will have their own attorney mediator to advise and assist their client in helping to understand. The power of decision making, however, still remains with the parties themselves. The mediators will never impose decisions upon you; they will help you to understand perspectives, to inform you of the law on the issues, and to discuss creative resolutions that could work, long term, for you and your family.

See below for more information on Solo and Co-Mediation.

Why Families Choose Mediation

As mediators, there are no rules to the mediation process. When necessary, parties may also consult with financial professionals, child specialists, or therapists during the mediation process to ensure that all aspects of your agreement are informed and sustainable. This team-based approach is not necessary, but can help to create a balanced, thoughtful resolution that supports both parties — and their children — long after the divorce is finalized.

  • N

    You Stay in Control:

    Decisions are made by the spouses, not the court.
  • N

    Lower Cost:

    Often much less expensive than a contested court case.
  • N

    Reduced Conflict:

    Encourages respectful communication and compromise.
  • N

    Confidential:

    Unlike public court hearings, which create public records, mediation is private.
  • N

    Future-Focused:

    Creates agreements that are practical, sustainable, and family-centered.
Perkins Family Law - Collaborative Divorce Services in Mendocino County

Let Our Experience Be Your Guide

Perkins Family Law, PC assists clients in Mediation. We empower our clients to make decisions themselves, rather than leave their entire future up to a judge.

Option 1

Option 2

Our Role

Option 1: Solo Mediation

For solo mediation, one of our attorneys, or a non-attorney mediator, will serve as a neutral mediator guiding both spouses through the process. We provide relevant information, help you explore options, and draft agreements for court filing. Each spouse may have a consulting attorney to review the agreement and ensure fairness, but that is not always necessary. Alternatively, the parties can consult with one neutral attorney to answer any legal questions.

This is the traditional model of divorce mediation — it is effective, confidential, and often far less expensive than litigation. Further, because the parties work together to create the agreement, the agreements tend to be longer lasting than court-imposed orders.

If mediation does not end up resulting in settlement and the parties wish to litigate, the attorney mediator is conflicted out of the case and cannot later represent you, or your spouse, in court.

Option 2: Co-Mediation — Two Mediators, One Goal

In co-mediation, you have two attorneys working together as your mediators. This approach offers unique benefits for families who want extra support during what can be an emotional process.

Why Choose Co-Mediation?

  • Balanced neutrality so both spouses feel equally supported.
  • Two professional perspectives and communication styles to enhance problem-solving.
  • A smoother process, with both parties feeling like their side is represented.
  • A model of cooperation that helps set a constructive tone for future co-parenting.
  • Additional professional support in each session, helping keep discussions calm and focused.

Many couples find that co-mediation feels more supportive, more efficient, and better equipped to handle complex or emotional issues than working with a single mediator.

As above, if co-mediation does not work out, and the parties wish to litigate their case, neither attorney can represent either party in future court proceedings.

Our Role as Mediators

Whether you choose solo or co-mediation, we serve as neutral facilitators when we put our mediator hat on, not advocates for either party. We help to foster healthy, informed, productive communication between the parties, and provide creative thought with respect to potential resolutions, while guiding the parties to reach final agreements. This can happen in a few sessions, or many sessions; the pace is controlled by the parties and the number of issues to be resolved. Working with an attorney mediator, we can provide you and your spouse with neutral, factual legal information, explain procedural steps, and help the parties build clear, enforceable agreements that are filed with the court. Each spouse is encouraged to have an independent attorney review all agreements before signing and filing, ensuring fairness and confidence in the result.

MEDIATION Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions regarding Mediation, to better help guide you through the process.

How does divorce mediation work?

Mediation is a voluntary process where both spouses meet with a neutral professional (attorney/mediator or mediator) who helps them identify issues, explore options, and reach mutually acceptable agreements. At Perkins Family Law, PC, we guide you step-by-step — helping you communicate productively and document your agreements so they can be approved by the court.

What is the benefit of mediation?

Mediation helps to maintain respect, boundaries, and healthy communication between the parties, especially where a long-term relationship such as co-parenting is involved. There is usually less trauma for the children of the relationship where the parties can communicate well and come to agreements on their own. Further, it is more likely that you will get a resolution that is beneficial for your family; in litigation a Judge is making decisions for you and your family knowing very little about who you are and what you need. Even with the best attorney, a judge will know so little about you and your life before issuing a decision, it is unlikely that it will be the best result for you and your family.

Is mediation confidential?

Absolutely. California law (Evidence Code §§1115-1129) protects the confidentiality of mediation communications. What is said in mediation cannot be used in court unless both parties agree otherwise. This protection allows for open and honest dialogue without fear of future use against either person.

Do we both have to agree to mediate?

Yes. Mediation only works if both spouses are willing to participate. Even if there’s tension or disagreement, mediation can still succeed when both parties commit to the process and are open to respectful discussion and creative thinking.

What happens if we can’t agree on everything?

It’s common for couples to agree on some issues and not others. In that case, partial agreements can still be finalized, and the remaining issues can be negotiated further or decided by the court if necessary. We focus on narrowing disputes and creating as much resolution as possible — even if every issue isn’t resolved through mediation. Sometimes it can help to take a pause and then come back and try mediation again after some time has passed, as the parties may have a new perspective. Even if you can’t resolve on all the issues in your case, getting even some agreements in writing and filed with the court, will help to lessen the cost of future litigation, if that becomes necessary.

Can we each have our own attorney in mediation?

Yes. In fact, it’s often a good idea for each spouse to consult with an attorney to provide independent legal advice and make sure the mediated agreement feels fair. If you retain us to mediate your case, we remain neutral as attorney mediators and provide only a neutral overview of the law and procedure in court.

Is mediation legally binding?

Once both spouses sign the final written agreement and it’s filed with the court, it becomes legally binding — just like a court order. Until then, the process is flexible and designed to allow thoughtful discussion before finalizing anything.

What if one spouse is more vocal, pushy or dominant than the other?

Our mediators are trained to create a balanced environment. We make sure both spouses are heard equally and that one person doesn’t overpower the discussion. In some cases, co-mediation (with two mediators) can be especially effective for creating balance and structure.

Can mediation work if there’s a lot of conflict between us?

Yes — mediation can actually help reduce conflict when guided by a skilled neutral mediator. The process promotes calm communication and structured problem-solving. If emotions run high, our mediators use tools and pacing techniques to keep discussions respectful and productive.

What model of mediation do you use?

Attorney, Kali Perkins, was certified in mediation with the Center for Understanding in Conflict (CUC) model, and has attended further advanced trainings, all of which emphasize empathy, understanding, and collaborative problem-solving rather than positional bargaining.

Traditional mediation often focuses on negotiation and compromise from opposing positions.
The Center for Understanding in Conflict model takes a deeper approach:

  • It creates a safe, structured environment where both parties are encouraged to fully express their perspectives and feelings.
  • The mediator helps uncover the underlying needs, values, and concerns driving each person’s position.
  • The focus is on understanding before problem-solving, fostering lasting agreements built on mutual insight rather than pressure or avoidance.
  • The process integrates self-reflection, so participants can recognize their own triggers and patterns that may affect communication and conflict.
  • The ultimate goal in the CUC model is not to divide up the pie, but rather to increase the size of the pie. While each side may not get every single thing they want; they get a resolution they are happy with and can live with long term.