Divorce Mediation

I’m Mike Jonsson, and I’m the owner of Sacramento Divorce Solutions, a family law firm located in Sacramento.  I've been a family law attorney since 1993, and a divorce mediator since 1998.  Presently, I limit my personal practice areas to divorce mediation, collaborative practice, the representation of children in family law cases, and to being appointed as a Special Master on custody issues.  Other than when I represent children, I no longer engage in traditional divorce litigation.

Divorce mediation is a process in which a neutral professional, usually an attorney like me, assists and facilitates communication between spouses in their divorce negotiations.  I do this by helping my clients communicate openly about relevant topics, and keeping them focused on the real issues at the core of their dispute.  I also provide legal education on relevant family laws and procedures, and help them develop creative settlement options and solutions tailored to help them each meet their needs, and resolve any conflicts they have on property, support, and custody issues.  Please note that even though I am an attorney and provide legal education, I do not provide legal advice; a mediator is not the attorney for either or both parties, but rather a neutral professional that maintains a fair negotiating environment for both clients.

Mediation typically takes three to six sessions, and each session lasts approximately two hours.  Sessions take place in my office, not at Court, which helps create an atmosphere of problem solving, rather than confrontation.  Mediation is a completely voluntary process, in which all decisions are made by the mutual agreement of both clients.  In this way, solutions can be developed so that both clients obtain a reasonable and fair result in their final agreement.  Mediation is the most affordable divorce process, and unlike a traditional representation, after the payment of a very modest deposit, clients pay for mediation services at the end of each session, which allows them to control their cash flow for divorce services.  My office also handles the preparation, service, and filing of any necessary documents and papers.

In recent years, divorce mediation has been hybridized to take advantage of some of the benefits of collaborative divorce practice, in which I’m also trained.  I now also offer mediation services which can include the use of neutral financial experts, known as 'financial specialists', to aid the parties in developing financial plans, and to minimize adverse tax consequences.  And when custody is at issue, I sometimes recommend the use of a neutral 'child specialist', who is a neutral child development expert who acts as the voice of the children in negotiations for a parenting plan.

Please note that divorce mediation is not the right process for everyone.  In situations involving domestic violence, or other situations in which a level playing field for negotiations cannot be established, divorce mediation is not appropriate, and other processes should be considered.

If you have any questions about whether mediation is the right process for your family, please don’t hesitate to visit my website for more information at www.SacramentoDivorceSolutions.com, or contact me for an appointment at (916) 921-7000.