Los Angeles, CA family law attorney Nina Shayan Depatie talks about how mediation works in divorce cases. She explains that mediation is a voluntary process that requires both parties to agree not only to participate but also to any proposed settlement. She notes that the mediator serves as a neutral third party whose role is to help bridge the gap between the parties’ positions and facilitate productive negotiations. She further advises that mediation can be an effective way to avoid court proceedings and resolve disputes on mutually agreed-upon terms, since no final order is entered unless both sides reach an agreement.