Family Law
Reno Divorce Mediation
Nevada family mediation for divorce, custody, support, and property issues — resolving cases without litigation.
Mediation is the family-law tool that produces the most durable outcomes — agreements the parties wrote themselves, with terms that fit their family rather than a generic court order. The cost is a fraction of contested litigation, and the schedule is whatever the parties decide. The catch: mediation only works when both parties show up willing to negotiate.
What this practice area covers
Mediation matters Jessica handles.
- Divorce mediation — full settlement covering all issues
- Custody and parenting-plan mediation
- Property and asset-division mediation
- Spousal-support and alimony mediation
- Post-decree modification mediation
- Pre-litigation mediation to avoid filing
- Court-ordered mediation under Washoe County family-court rules
- Hybrid mediation/arbitration (med-arb) for unresolved issues
Approach
Settlement value depends on preparation
A productive Nevada family-law mediation requires both sides to come prepared — financial disclosures complete, asset valuations defensible, and proposed terms grounded in what a Washoe County family-court judge would order at trial. Jessica mediates as a neutral when both parties want one mediator, and represents individual clients in mediation with another neutral when separate counsel is preferred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nevada divorce mediation — frequently asked questions
How does mediation work in a Nevada divorce?+
A neutral mediator (often a family-law attorney or trained mediator) helps the parties negotiate settlement of all divorce issues — property division, support, custody, and parenting plans. Sessions can be joint, separate (caucus), or hybrid. Final agreements are reduced to a Marital Settlement Agreement signed by both parties and incorporated into the divorce decree.
Is mediation required in Nevada divorce cases?+
Court-ordered mediation is required for custody disputes in Washoe County under family-court rules. Property and support mediation is voluntary in most cases but heavily encouraged.
How much does Nevada divorce mediation cost?+
Mediator fees typically run $250–$450 per hour. A full divorce mediation often takes 3–8 hours of mediation time plus preparation — significantly less than the cost of litigated divorce.
Is mediation confidential in Nevada?+
Yes — under NRS 38.103, mediation communications are confidential and not admissible in subsequent litigation, with limited exceptions (threats of harm, child abuse reports). This confidentiality protects candid negotiation.
What if mediation doesn’t fully resolve our case?+
Partial agreements are common — many cases mediate property and support but litigate custody (or vice versa). Unresolved issues proceed to court while the agreed terms become binding.
Can I bring my attorney to mediation?+
Yes. Many Nevada family-law mediations include attorneys for both parties. The mediator’s role is neutral — to facilitate, not to represent. Each party benefits from independent legal advice on the proposed terms.
Schedule a consultation.
Confidential. Direct attorney access. Twenty years of Nevada family-law practice.