How Family Law Mediation Works | Marla Keenan-Rivero | Family Law Mediator Santa Rosa, CA | Marla Keenan-Rivero

If you've never been through a divorce or custody dispute before, the process can feel completely opaque. What does a mediator actually do? What happens in a session? How do you go from "we can't agree on anything" to a signed settlement? These are the questions I get most often from people considering mediation for the first time. This page is my attempt to answer them honestly.

I want to start here because there's a lot of confusion about this.

A mediator is not a judge. I don't make decisions for you. A mediator is not your attorney. I don't represent either party or advocate for either side. My role is to be a neutral — someone who understands family law deeply, who can explain how California courts approach different issues, and who helps both parties have a productive conversation about things that are genuinely hard to talk about.

What I bring to that role is twenty years of family law experience. I know where agreements fall apart. I know what judges actually care about. I know which issues look complicated but resolve quickly, and which ones need more time. That knowledge shapes how I guide the process — but the decisions are always yours.

We start with a free consultation — just you and me. You tell me about your situation, I explain how mediation works and what to expect, and we talk honestly about whether mediation is a good fit. If it is, we schedule our first session. If it isn't, I'll tell you that too.

In the first session, both parties meet with me together. We identify all the issues that need to be resolved — assets, debts, custody, support, whatever applies to your situation — and we talk through the process. Some people come in with a clear picture of what they want. Others are still figuring it out. Both are fine.

This is where the actual work happens. We take the issues one at a time. I help both parties understand the relevant legal framework — what California law says about property division, how child support is calculated, what factors courts consider for spousal support — so that both sides are making decisions based on accurate information rather than assumptions.

I don't push people toward any particular outcome. But I do help move the conversation forward when it gets stuck, reframe issues when emotions are running high, and keep both parties focused on what actually matters: reaching an agreement they can live with.

The number of sessions varies. Straightforward cases with limited assets and no children can sometimes wrap up in two or three sessions. More complex situations — business interests, disputed custody, long marriages with significant assets — take longer. I'll give you a realistic estimate after our first session.

Once both parties have reached agreement on all issues, I prepare a written settlement agreement that documents everything clearly and completely. I strongly recommend that each party have their own attorney review the agreement before signing — not because I expect problems, but because it's good practice and gives both sides confidence in what they're signing.

The signed agreement gets submitted to the court. Once a judge approves it, it becomes a legally binding court order. In most cases, neither party ever has to appear in court. The process that felt impossible at the start ends with a document that gives both of you a clear path forward.

Weeks to a few months for most cases. Compare that to a contested divorce in California, which can take one to three years to reach a final judgment. Mediation moves at the pace you set — when both parties come prepared and in good faith, things move quickly.

I'm often asked whether mediation can work for people who genuinely don't get along. The answer is yes — with an important caveat. You don't need to like each other. You don't need to trust each other. What you need is a willingness to participate honestly and a recognition that reaching an agreement is better than the alternative.

Most of the people I work with are not on good terms when we start. By the time we finish, they've built enough of a working relationship to co-parent, communicate about finances, and move forward. That's not magic — it's what happens when people are given a structured process and someone to help them use it.

Mediation works well for most family law matters — divorce, custody, support, property division, relocation disputes, stepparent adoptions. It's not the right fit in every situation, particularly where there's a significant power imbalance or history of domestic violence.

If you're not sure, call me. A free consultation costs you nothing, and I'll give you a straight answer about whether I think mediation can work for your family.

Serving Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, and Northern California. Call (707) 525-8800 or email Tidwell@perrylaw.net.