Mediation Resources For Divorce & Family Law

Please be advised that the resources listed below may contain information that applies to varying situations, and may not be applicable to every conflict.

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Mediation Resources

Mediation Resources to Help You Succeed

Professional consultation is encouraged, so that you can learn about and understand your rights as you proceed with conflict resolution. Many of these resources are free and available for those in need.

Websites

The Los Angeles Superior Court’s Family Law: General information about family law, including a directory of online services, forms, locations, fees, court rules, etc.
California Courts: Self-Help Center: Families & Children Information on various topics affecting families and children (e.g., child support, custody, parentage/paternity, child abuse, guardianship, adoption, emancipation); answers to frequently asked questions.
Nolo Press: Legal encyclopedia dedicated to questions regarding divorce and family law.
Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR): A professional organization expanding the knowledge and public understanding of conflict resolution.
SupportGuidelines.com: Resource for the explanation and application of child support guidelines in the United States.
California’s child support calculator
State-by-State Support Resources to help Parents Find Divorce Information
Jenesse Center, Inc.: domestic violence intervention program

For Evaluating Assets

Kelley Blue Book: New and used car values
Edmunds: New and used car prices
Zillow: Estimated home prices
Equifax: Credit report and credit score

For Parents

These websites offer unique tools to help divorcing and divorced parents through difficult transitions.

This video has useful information to help parents learn how to co-parent together cooperatively for the benefit of their child. Smart Parent Advice has a great article with tips for communicating well with children.

Reading Guides

These books can help you and your family prepare for and recover from your divorce:
Long Distance Parenting by Miriam Cohen (New America Library, 1989)
My Kids Don’t Live with Me Anymore by Doreen Virtue (CompCare, 1988)
Quality Time: Easing the Children Through Divorce by Melvin Goldsband (McGraw-Hill, 1985)
Teens are Non-Divorceable: A Workbook for Divorced Parents and Their Children Ages 12-18 by Sara Bonkowski (ACTA Publications, 1990)
Helping Your Child Succeed After Divorce by Florence Bienefeld (Hunter House, 1987)

Books for Children

The Boys & Girls Book about Divorce, by Richard Gardner, M.D. (Bantam Books, 1970).
Dinosaurs Divorce by Laurence Krasy Brown & Marc Brown (Little Brown & Co., 1986).
The Divorce Workbook by Sally Ives (Waterfront Books, 1985)
How it Feels when Parents Divorce by Jill Krementz (Alfred A. Knopf, 1988)
How to Get it Together When Your Parents are Coming Apart by Arlene Richards and Irene Willis (Bantam Books, 1977)
Step Kids: A Survival Guide for Teenagers in Step-Families by Ann Getzoff and Carolyn McClenahan (Walker and Co., 1984)
What’s Going to Happen to Me? When Parents Separate and Divorce by Eda Leahan (Alladin Books, 1986).

To schedule divorce mediation in Los Angeles, please contact Leyla Balakhane today.

Sue Gramacy

October 25, 2022.

I recommend Leyla Balakhane for resolving family disputes. She listens carefully, appreciates the emotions and needs that underline each conversation . She is genuinely concerned with the well being of all parties involved. She is very effective. What’s great is she always focuses on the best interest of the children. I have worked with Leyla for over 10 years and have watched her work her magic with families. Sue Gramacy

Stacey Lisk

October 14, 2022.

Leyla Balakhane was one of the supervising mediators that worked with us at Edmund D Edelman Children’s Court. Given that she was one of the top mediators working on unlawful detainer cases, she was referred by a judge who found her to be incredibly gifted in what she does and felt that she would be a great asset in working with families. Leyla has a natural ability to connect with the families and helping them reach agreements that is far above whats required. Given that she was very interested in growing in her practice, she was able to help create a more in-depth and detailed parenting checklist which led to a higher success rate in or mediations at the Children’s Court. Because of Leyla many families have more profound and insightful agreements. I would add supervising mediator

Your RN Attorney Jennifer Johnston Terando

October 12, 2022.

Leyla Balakhane is knowledgable, compassionate, and effective. I highly recommend her as a mediator.

Shsavina TehrNi

October 10, 2022.

Thank you Leyla for helping us finalize a very difficult journey. We are able to have a better coparenting relationship because of everything you taught us. We are both very grateful for helping us resolve all issues in an amicable manner.

Rachel Hsiung

March 17, 2022.

Leyla is professional, patient and wonderful person to work with. She’s a good negotiator and listener to help her clients to get amicable results.

Noah Stern

October 9, 2021.

Layla is a superb mediator. She helped my family through a tough time with ease. I highly recommend Leyla for any family going through a challenging time.

sepideh doust

March 28, 2021.

Leyla Balakhane was my supervising mediator at children's courthouse. She taught me great communication tools to implement in my mediation practice. She helps the family, social worker, attorneys, and others involved in the case facilitate meaningful discussion and resolve the issues sent to mediation. Her level of wisdom is uncanny. She is able to bring awareness for parents to make the best decision for their family. I would highly recommend her as a skilled mediator in the field of family mediation.

Zak Shapiro

January 22, 2021.

Leyla is an exemplary mediator for couples going through a divorce. She has the couples best interest in mind at all times through out the mediation process. She truly supports couples in making the best decision for them, whether its to help work towards reconciliation or agree on divorce terms. She helps couple find creative and collaborative solutions for their division of assets and debts. She is patient and understanding of what both parties are going though, and she carefully and thoughtfully helps to find a solution. I Cannot recommend her enough!

Matthew Khorsandi

September 28, 2020.

Leyla is an incredible mediator with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Most importantly, she genuinely cares for the people she works with. Highly recommend.