Divorce & Family Law Mediation in Johns Creek & North Atlanta
Call or text (470) 560-7798 to discuss mediation for your family law matter.
Resolve Your Case Without the Courtroom
Attorney David Tannen has resolved hundreds of cases through mediation over 30+ years. We prepare every client to win at the mediation table.
Free 30-minute consultation. No obligation. We respond within 2 hours during business hours.
Divorce Mediation in Georgia. Quick Facts
- Required: Fulton, Gwinnett, and Forsyth County family law cases often require mediation before a trial.
- Cost: Starting at $500 per party for mediator fees, depending on rates and session length.
- Duration: Typically a full day (6 to 8 hours). Complex cases may require more than one.
- Confidential: Mediation communications are confidential and cannot be used as evidence at trial.
- Success rate: Approximately 70 to 80% of mediated cases reach a full or partial agreement.
- Mediator role: A neutral facilitator, not a decision-maker. The mediator cannot impose an outcome.
- If mediation fails: The case may well proceed to trial. Participating in mediation does not waive any legal rights.
Understanding Mediation in Family Law Matters
- What it is: Structured negotiation with a neutral mediator, not a judge, not an arbitrator. The mediator cannot impose a decision.
- Cost: Private mediators charge $250 to $500/hour, typically split between parties.
- Court-ordered: Most Georgia courts require mediation before trial in contested family law cases
- Success rate: National mediation success rate in family law cases is approximately 70-80%
- Timeline advantage: Mediation can often be completed in a relatively short timeframe, while preparing for and going to trial typically involves months of litigation, court scheduling, and expense.
- Privacy: Mediation is confidential. Statements made in mediation are inadmissible in court if mediation fails.
- Control: Both parties control the outcome, unlike trial, where the judge decides
- What it covers: Custody, parenting plans, child support, spousal support, property division, debt allocation, and any other disputed issue
Why Choose Mediation Over Litigation
Mediation is not therapy, counseling, or a casual conversation. It is a legal negotiation process guided by a professional mediator, typically a family law attorney or retired judge with specialized mediation training.
Before mediation, each party prepares with their attorney. Preparation includes reviewing the financial picture, identifying priorities and acceptable compromises, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your position, and anticipating the other side’s arguments. At Tannen Law Group, we prepare for mediation with the same rigor we apply to trial preparation, organized evidence, clear legal positions, and a strategy for moving the other side toward resolution.
During mediation, the mediator separates the parties into private rooms and shuttles between them, conveying proposals, exploring compromises, and reality-testing each party’s position. The mediator may share legal context, point out risks of going to trial, and identify areas where agreement is possible.
If mediation succeeds, the attorneys draft a mediation agreement on the spot or shortly after. This agreement is then formalized into a settlement agreement that is filed with the court. If mediation fails, the case proceeds toward trial, but the mediation discussions remain confidential and cannot be used as evidence.
Why Choose Tannen Law Group
The financial advantage of mediation is substantial. A typical mediation session in North Atlanta costs $1,000-$3,000 total (mediator fees split between parties, plus each attorney’s preparation and attendance time). A contested divorce that goes to trial costs $7,500 retainer with hourly billing subtracted from the retainer, per party, plus expert witness fees, court costs, and the opportunity cost of months of litigation.
Beyond cost, mediation offers advantages that trial cannot provide. Parties control the outcome, they can design creative solutions that a judge would not impose. Agreements reached in mediation have higher compliance rates because both parties participated in creating the terms. Mediation is private, there is no public court record of the proceedings. Mediation preserves co-parenting relationships better than adversarial litigation, which matters when parents will need to communicate about their children for years.
Mediation is often court-required regardless of case dynamics. Where there is a power imbalance, financial misconduct, or bad-faith negotiation, the right preparation is the answer. Tannen Law Group conducts thorough financial discovery before mediation, including business and asset records when relevant, so the picture is clear before negotiation begins. As your attorney, we speak for you and stand up for you at the table – your interests are fully represented, whether the case settles in mediation or proceeds to trial.
Find Out If Mediation Is Right for Your Case
Mediation is often required in Georgia family law cases. We assess your specific situation and prepare to advocate for you whether at the table or at trial.
How Mediation Supports Predictable Outcomes
Georgia courts in Fulton, Gwinnett, and Forsyth counties routinely require mediation before granting trial dates in contested family law cases. Usually mediation occurs after initial pleadings and discovery is exchanged.
Depending on the case and county, a court-annexed mediator or a private mediator selected by the parties will be used. Private mediators allow more scheduling flexibility and may have deeper family law expertise. The parties often share the mediator’s cost equally.
If mediation does not produce a full agreement, the mediator reports to the court that mediation was attempted in good faith but did not resolve all issues. The case then proceeds to trial on the unresolved matters. Partial agreements are common, parties may resolve property division and support through mediation while leaving custody for the court to decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
In custody mediation, the mediator is a neutral third party who shuttles between you and your spouse, conveying proposals on parenting plans, schedules, and decision-making authority. The mediator does not advocate for either side. Tannen Law Group prepares your position before mediation and represents your interests at the table, ensuring the parenting plan that emerges is one you can live with rather than one imposed under pressure. We bring this preparation to custody mediation across Fulton, Gwinnett, and Forsyth counties.
Full divorce mediation addresses property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and (when applicable) custody and child support. Complex estates may require more than one session. We organize your financial picture in advance: tax returns, account statements, property appraisals, and business valuations. The preparation our attorneys bring to mediation is the same preparation we would bring to trial in Fulton, Gwinnett, or Forsyth County, because that preparation is what moves the other side toward a fair resolution.
Post-decree mediation is conducted after a contempt motion or modification petition has been filed and discovery has been exchanged. By that point, the dispute has a procedural posture and both sides have current financial or factual information. Mediation at this stage is often faster and less expensive than continuing to a contested hearing, but only if the underlying motion is well-prepared. We file the motion, conduct discovery, and represent you in the mediation across all three counties we serve.
How much does family law mediation cost in Georgia?
Private mediators in North Atlanta charge $250 to $500 per hour, typically split between the parties. A mediation session lasting 4-6 hours costs approximately $800-$2,400 total in mediator fees (plus each attorney’s time). Total mediation costs are typically 60-80% less than litigation through trial.
Is mediation required in Georgia divorce cases?
Most Georgia courts require mediation before allowing contested family law cases to proceed to trial. The court orders mediation after initial pleadings and basic discovery. If mediation does not resolve all issues, the case proceeds to trial on the remaining disputes.
Can I still go to trial if mediation fails?
Yes. Mediation is an attempt at resolution, not a final determination. If mediation does not produce an agreement, the case proceeds to trial and the judge decides all unresolved issues. Mediation discussions are confidential and cannot be used as evidence at trial.
Do I need a lawyer for mediation?
While not legally required, having an attorney in mediation is strongly recommended. A mediator is neutral, they do not represent either party’s interests. Your attorney ensures you understand your legal rights, evaluates whether proposed terms are fair, identifies potential pitfalls, and helps draft the mediation agreement correctly.
Call (470) 560-7798 before your mediation session. Preparation is what makes the difference between a settlement that protects you and one that doesn’t.
What if my spouse won't negotiate fairly in mediation?
If one party is dishonest, unreasonable, or acting in bad faith, mediation is unlikely to succeed. In these situations, the mediator can report that good faith efforts were made but resolution was not reached. The case then proceeds to trial. Having an attorney who is prepared for trial strengthens your position, opposing counsel who knows you will litigate if mediation fails is more likely to negotiate reasonably.
Call (470) 560-7798 if mediation is failing. We can assess when it is time to stop and schedule for trial.
Is what I say in mediation confidential?
Yes. Georgia law protects the confidentiality of mediation proceedings. Statements made during mediation are inadmissible in court if mediation fails. This encourages honest negotiation without fear that concessions or admissions will be used against you at trial.
Our attorneys are here to provide clear answers. Contact us for a confidential consultation about your family law case.
Flexible Payment Plans to Fit Your Needs
Resolve Your Case Without the Courtroom
Mediation can save time, money, and emotional energy, but it requires preparation, strategy, and an attorney who knows when to compromise and when to stand firm. At Tannen Law Group, we bring that balance to every mediation session.
Call or text (470) 560-7798
Tannen Law Group
6455 East Johns Crossing, Suite 425
Johns Creek, Georgia 30097
Your Free Consultation Includes:
Whether mediation is likely to work for your case
What mediation will cost for your specific situation
A preparation plan so you walk in ready to get the best outcome
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Not ready to call? Mediation vs Going to Court in Georgia