Divorce Mediation
Not every divorce needs a courtroom. Mediation lets two people end a marriage by agreement, with a neutral in the room instead of a judge, and it's usually faster, less costly, and easier on everyone, especially the kids. We guide clients through mediation across the Pacific Northwest, and in the right cases we serve as the mediator ourselves.
Talk to an attorneyFounded
1965
Attorneys
11
AV-rated
Martindale-Hubbell
Office
Bellevue, WA
Founded
1965
Attorneys
2
AV-rated
Martindale-Hubbell
Office
Bellevue, WA
Divorce mediation attorneys for Bellevue and Seattle families
Mediation is a way to settle a divorce without litigating it. A neutral third party helps both spouses work through the same questions a court would decide, property, support, a parenting plan, and reach an agreement they both can live with. Washington law makes what's said in mediation confidential, and the agreement that comes out of it is binding once it's signed. We represent clients in mediation, preparing them, advising them, and reviewing the deal before they sign, and we also serve as a neutral mediator in cases where that fits. Either way the goal is the same: a fair resolution that doesn't cost the family a year in court.
Mediation works through conversation rather than motions, but it still needs structure and preparation. We explain how mediation works and whether it fits your situation; we prepare you for the financial and parenting questions on the table; we advise you during the sessions so you're never negotiating blind; we offer collaborative divorce as a related option; and we turn the agreement you reach into a binding, court-enforceable decree.
What divorce mediation is
Mediation puts a neutral third party in the room to help two spouses reach their own agreement, instead of handing the decision to a judge. The mediator doesn't represent either side or give legal advice; the mediator's job is to move the conversation toward a deal. Washington's Uniform Mediation Act, RCW 7.07, keeps what's said in mediation confidential, so both people can talk openly without it being used against them later. Mediation is voluntary, and many Washington courts encourage or require parties to attempt it before a trial date.
When mediation works, and when it doesn't
Mediation works when both spouses are willing to negotiate in good faith and put their finances honestly on the table. It tends to fail, and we'll tell you so, when there's a serious power imbalance, a history of abuse, or a spouse hiding assets or refusing to deal straight. We give honest advice about whether your case is a good candidate, because pushing a case into mediation that belongs in court just wastes time and money. When mediation isn't right, we litigate.
Our role: your advocate, or the neutral
We play one of two roles in mediation, never both in the same case. Most often we represent one spouse: we prepare you for each session, make sure you understand what you're agreeing to, and review the final terms before you sign, so you're never negotiating without counsel. In other cases, where both spouses want a single neutral to guide them, we serve as the mediator. We're clear from the start about which role we're in.
Collaborative divorce
Collaborative divorce is a cousin of mediation. Under Washington's Uniform Collaborative Law Act, RCW 7.77, both spouses and their lawyers sign an agreement to resolve everything outside court, sharing information openly and bringing in neutral financial or child specialists as needed. The distinctive feature is the withdrawal rule: if the process breaks down and someone wants to litigate, both collaborative lawyers withdraw, which gives everyone a real stake in making it work. It suits couples who want lawyers in their corner but a courtroom off the table.
Making the agreement binding
A handshake isn't a divorce. Once the spouses reach agreement in mediation or collaboration, we put it in writing as a CR 2A agreement, which Washington courts enforce, and then fold it into the dissolution decree the court signs. The 90-day waiting period under RCW 26.09 still applies, so even a fully agreed divorce can't be finalized sooner. We handle the drafting and the filing so the agreement you worked out is the one that becomes your decree.
Sixty years representing Pacific Northwest families, often the same families whose businesses, trusts, and estates the firm already handles. When a divorce touches a company or a trust, you're not starting over with a stranger.
Continuity, not a hand-off.
Many family-law clients are already firm clients. The attorney handling your divorce may be the one who set up the business or the trust now in question, which means less time spent explaining and fewer surprises.
Settlement-minded, trial-ready.
We resolve most divorces without a trial, because it's better for the family and the budget. But when a case has to be tried, the firm's litigators are ready, and the other side knows it.
Straight about what's ahead.
Divorce is hard enough without a lawyer overselling. We give you a clear map of the next 6 to 12 months, tell you what a case is realistically worth fighting over, and what isn't.
The attorneys behindthe work.
Our business and corporate attorneys handle this work alongside our litigation team, so you have coverage whether your matter stays transactional or becomes something more.
What clientsask us first.
Is mediation legally binding?
The mediation itself isn't; the agreement that comes out of it is. While you're talking, nothing is binding, and either spouse can walk away. Once you reach terms and sign a written CR 2A agreement, Washington courts will enforce it, and it gets incorporated into your final divorce decree. So the conversation is non-binding, but the signed result is very much binding.
Do we still need our own lawyers if we mediate?
Yes, and it's important. A mediator is neutral and can't give either spouse legal advice, even when asked. Without your own lawyer, you can agree to something that sounds fair in the room but costs you later. We advise clients before, during, and after mediation so they understand what each term actually means before signing.
Is what we say in mediation confidential?
Largely, yes. Washington's Uniform Mediation Act, RCW 7.07, makes most mediation communications privileged, which means they generally can't be used as evidence later if the case ends up in court. That protection is what lets both spouses speak candidly and explore options without fear it'll be turned against them. A few narrow exceptions apply, like threats of harm.
How is mediation different from collaborative divorce?
Mediation uses one neutral person to help both spouses reach a deal. Collaborative divorce, governed by RCW 7.77, gives each spouse their own specially trained lawyer, and everyone signs an agreement to settle without court. The signature difference is the withdrawal rule: if a collaborative case falls apart and heads to court, both lawyers have to step aside. Mediation has no such rule.
Will mediation actually save us money?
Usually, when both sides engage in good faith. Mediation avoids most of the discovery, motions, and trial time that make litigation expensive, and an agreed divorce moves faster. It saves nothing if one spouse won't negotiate honestly, which is why we assess candidly up front whether mediation is realistic for your situation.
Recentarticles.
Tell us about your situation and whether you're hoping to resolve your divorce without litigating it. A family law attorney will follow up within one business day, and the first conversation is confidential.
Oseran Hahn P.S. · 11225 SE 6th St, Suite 100 · Bellevue, WA 98004
This content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing this page does not create an attorney-client relationship.