If you are going through separation and divorce, it can be emotionally and financially stressful. If your divorce is not handled properly, it can cost a fortune to litigate and take up months, even years, of your time. If you litigate, it leaves you and your spouse feeling embittered and overwhelmed. If your divorce becomes contentious, it can be even harder on the children, who may end up in the middle of two warring parents. We know there is a better way.

A Better Way Forward

At Divorce Mediation Associates, Ltd., we know there is a better way. Our multi-disciplinary, integrative mediation practice facilitate amicable and personalized resolutions for our clients. The legal issues of divorce can be complex including equitable division of assets, alimony, child support, child custody, visitation and parenting issues. Mediation guides partners to solutions that minimizes the tensions and anger of divorce and maximizes a workable resolution. Rather than an emphasis on positions we collaborate together to find solutions that meet the needs and interests of the parties and their children. Accessible and affordable mediation avoids the confrontation of litigation and though the parties have differences, they work together to find resolutions in a private confidential setting rather than being mired in a public adversarial conflict. Mediation offers an opportunity for people to work together before they meet with a divorce attorney, thus allowing for a less timely and less expensive divorce.

We are the only Integrative AND INTEREST BASED Mediation in the D.C. Area

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A discussion of divorce, separation, parenting choices and an opportunity to get your questions answered in a zoom format Q&A with Steven Garver and Dr. Patrice B. F. Garver. Our goal is for you to know your healthy options for divorce. Wherever you are in the U.S. Sign Up Now!

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Local & National Mediation

Main Phone: 703-665-7592

OFFERING SERVICES ONLINE wherever you are

Reston Office
11702 Bowman Green Drive, Suite 200 Reston, VA 20190

Oakton Office
2915 Hunter Mill Road, Suite 21 Oakton, VA 22124

McLean Office
6858 Old Dominion Drive, Suite 302 McLean, VA 22101

Our services are focused in Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. However, we work with clients across the country. Personal service wherever you are.

How our divorce mediation differs from traditional litigation

All types of mediation involve neutral professionals who have experience negotiating and forging amicable settlements. Often, mediators “shuttle” back and forth between the two parties, trying to broker deals that often leave everyone feeling unsatisfied. Shuttle diplomacy, while appropriate for some mediation, leaves the mediator as the only person with full knowledge of the parties’ positions.

At the Divorce Mediation Center, we do things a little differently.

We honestly discuss how to proceed with family law matters once it is clear that the marriage cannot continue. We work with both spouses directly, and at the same time: you and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse are together with us, so everything is out in the open (transparent) from the beginning. We work together with both parties to help you resolve the issues arising between you as a result of your marriage. We look for innovative ways to find solutions that are good for both parties and the children, often times finding value in areas the courts could not or would not go. Rather than emphasizing the positions each party may have we try to emphasize the interests and needs of the parties and their children.

Work with a multi-disciplinary INTEGRATIVE team

We also work with other trusted professionals to help our clients achieve workable solutions. Our multi-disciplinary, integrative team includes mental health professionals, as well as attorneys with training and experience in family law matters all of whom have had training and extensive experience in mediation. We also work with financial experts, such as accountants, financial planners, and CPAs, when appropriate, who can help with asset management, tax planning, and income issues. Often, if you have a trusted financial adviser, we will try to utilize your professionals who have been familiar with your finances for some time.

What happens in the PRIVATE sessionS?

Each mediation session lasts for about two hours. We meet about every seven to fourteen days, discussing new issues each time and updating our progress on the previous ones. Each session normally includes the spouses, and our mediators (who are also an attorney and a mental health specialist), and, if necessary, an outside specialist who can address a particular need of our clients. Through mediation, both parties work on a solution that works for their particular circumstances, the mediation is interest based to meet the needs of both parties and any children they may have. After both the parties have reached a tentative marital settlement agreement and, when applicable, a parenting plan, they have an opportunity to consult with their independent counsel for advice before executing that agreement.

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Covid 19 Notice:

We have available virtual conferencing to provide Mediation in the event that in person meetings are not possible, not safe or you are not comfortable with meeting in person.

Each party will need to have access to the internet, a computer and ideally, a printer.

For in person appointments please notify us if you have symptoms or feel ill. Please do not come to our office sick. We will convert your session to an online virtual meeting. Masks are required.