Divorce mediation is an alternative to traditional litigation. A mediator is a neutral third party who acknowledges your emotional and practical concerns, while helping to negotiate an agreement between you and your spouse.

Mediators work with both parties to resolve key issues, including visitation, child and spousal support, custody, property division, and debt.

At the end of this process, the mediator's office creates a settlement agreement for your divorce. A divorce mediation may take one or more sessions in order to fully address all provisions in the agreement.

About the author of this California Divorce FAQ:

Julia M. Garwood is a family-law attorney and divorce mediator based in San Diego, CA. She can be reached at (619) 692-8100. View her website and Divorce Magazine profile.