“Charlie was kind, he listened, and patiently answered all of my questions. He was very prompt in communicating with me.”
D.S. · Google · February 2026
A Fast Divorce client experience—not a mediation review. Individual experiences vary.
Human. Simple. Finished.™
CALIFORNIA DIVORCE MEDIATION
You don’t have to agree on everything to start a conversation.
When divorce conversations keep going in circles, a neutral mediator can help you discuss what matters and explore possible agreements.
A structured conversation. Your decisions.
Up to 15 minutes. Just you and Charlie. Your spouse does not need to attend the introductory call.
Your concerns.
A neutral conversation.
Your decisions.
A neutral conversation.
Your decisions.
Charlie SilvaNonattorney divorce mediator · SCMA member
Meet CharlieMediation through Fresh Start Mediation is a separate engagement from Fast Divorce’s document services. Booking and confirmations are administered through Fast Divorce.
GET TO KNOW THE COMPANYPersonal support has a reputation.
★★★★★4.9301 reviewsChecked October 18, 2026Read client experiences
Reviews of Fast Divorce—not mediation-specific outcomes.
START WITH WHAT FEELS FAMILIAR
“That sounds like us.”
You can start with what is unresolved.
Hover or select a situation to explore.
01We agree on some things. We get stuck on others.A closer look
You do not need every answer before learning about mediation. The conversation can begin with what is already clear and what still needs attention.
Ask about your situation02Every discussion turns into the same argument.A closer look
A structured process may help people discuss one issue at a time. Whether it is appropriate depends on the circumstances and each person’s ability to participate freely.
Ask about your situation03We want to talk about the children without making every conversation a fight.A closer look
Parenting discussions may include routines, transitions, communication and practical concerns. A mediator does not decide custody or tell either parent what legal terms to accept.
Ask about your situation04We have a home, retirement or financial questions to sort through.A closer look
Mediation can provide a setting for discussing concerns and possible agreements. Legal rights, valuations, taxes and retirement-plan requirements may also call for independent professional advice.
Ask about your situation05We already filed. We would still like to reach an agreement.A closer look
A filed case does not mean every issue must remain disputed. Ask about mediation while keeping track of existing court dates, orders and deadlines.
Ask about your situationSwipe to explore more situations.
A conversation does not pause a deadline. Exploring mediation does not change a court order.
A CLEARER WAY INTO THE CONVERSATION
Less going in circles.
More knowing what’s next.
Not about taking sides. Not about pressuring you to settle. One step at a time.
01
YOUR INDIVIDUAL INTRODUCTIONStart with your questions.
A free, individual phone call with Charlie, up to 15 minutes.
Ask how mediation works, explain the topics you want to discuss and learn about the next step. This is an introduction—not legal advice or a mediation session.
02
CLARITY BEFORE PAID MEDIATIONUnderstand before committing.
Clarify the scope, fees, participation, privacy limits and agreement.
Each participant needs an opportunity to understand the process and raise concerns. An introductory call does not commit either person to mediation.
03
A STRUCTURED CONVERSATIONWork through the topics.
If mediation proceeds, sessions take place by Zoom.
Discuss the issues within the engagement, possible points of agreement and questions that need more information or independent advice.
04
CLEAR RESPONSIBILITIESKnow what comes next.
Clarify what was agreed, what remains unresolved and who follows up.
A mediation discussion does not itself complete your divorce. Agreement documentation, legal review, document preparation and court filing need the appropriate service arrangements.
A PERSON. A PROCESS. ROOM TO SPEAK.
The conversation matters.
So does who helps it.
“I want people to understand the process, have room to be heard and know what happens next. My role in mediation is to help organize the conversation—not to take sides or make your decisions.”
Charlie Silva Nonattorney divorce mediator
More about CharliePlain English, not more confusion.
Charlie’s approach emphasizes plain English, organized questions and clear next steps.
A neutral, not either person’s advocate.
The mediator does not take sides, represent either person or decide the outcome.
You keep your own decisions.
You may seek independent legal advice before, during or after mediation. You are free to choose other providers.
Member of the Statewide California Mediation Association (SCMA).
Founder of Fast Divorce®.
DIFFERENT HELP. CLEAR ROLES.
Who helps?
Who decides?
You may need different professionals for different parts of the process. Their roles are not interchangeable.
Advice about
your legal choices.
Advises you about your rights, choices and the possible effects of proposed terms. An attorney’s role is different from the mediator’s neutral role.
For your legal adviceYour attorney advises you.
Help with
the conversation.
Helps participants communicate and explore possible agreements. Does not represent either participant or decide what either person must accept.
You decide whether to agree.A neutral helps the discussion.
Help with
your paperwork.
Prepares selected documents at your specific direction within the agreed service. Does not choose your legal terms, provide legal advice or represent you in court.
For selected document workYou give specific direction.
See how mediation compares.Five approaches. Different roles. Understand who makes the decisions.
WAYS TO RESOLVE DISAGREEMENTS
Mediation: a neutral helps. You decide.
Swipe to compare the five approaches.
Negotiation
Participants
The participants decide whether to agree.
Mediation
A neutral helps. You decide.Mediator
A neutral mediator helps. The participants decide whether to agree.
Collaborative practice
Lawyers
Each participant has a collaborative lawyer. The participants work toward agreement.
Arbitration
Arbitrator
An arbitrator decides specified issues. Legal effect depends on the arrangement and law.
Litigation
Court
A judge may decide unresolved issues. The participants may also settle.
Fees, time and legal effect vary. These are options, not required steps.
Read the comparison as text
Educational comparison adapted for Fast Divorce from Breer Law materials. Terri Breer’s website. No endorsement of Fast Divorce is implied.
Open the comparison PDF
MEDIATION SESSIONS BY ZOOM
YOUR PLACE. A SHARED CONVERSATION.
Different locations.
One focused discussion.
Mediation sessions are held by Zoom. Each participant needs a reliable connection and a suitable private place to participate.
Discuss any access, technology or safety concerns before scheduling.
Serving Los Angeles County and people throughout California.
BEFORE YOU COMMIT
You deserve clarity
before paying.
The introductory phone call is complimentary. Paid mediation is a separate engagement.
01
What will we work on?Clarify the proposed scope and what is included.
02
What will it cost?Ask about fees, payment and cancellation terms.
03
What stays private?Understand the confidentiality rules and their limits.
04
Can I participate freely?Raise safety, pressure or access concerns privately before a joint session.
FREE RESOURCES. BETTER QUESTIONS.
Get a little clarity.
Before your first call.
Use these resources with Charlie or another provider. No signup required.
PLAIN-ENGLISH GUIDE · PDFIs mediation
Know what
See the
Is mediation
right for us?
A short introduction to the process and its limits.
Open the mediation guide28 QUESTIONS · PDFKnow what
to ask.
Prepare questions about experience, fees, neutrality, privacy and what follows.
Open the checklistFIVE APPROACHES · PDFSee the
differences.
Compare who helps and who decides across five approaches.
Open the comparisonGeneral education—not legal advice, an eligibility test or a recommendation about what you should agree to. The comparison is adapted from Breer Law materials; no endorsement is implied.
THE QUESTIONS BEHIND THE QUESTION
Let’s make
room for yours.
Plain answers before a new commitment.
Ask about mediationDo we have to agree before trying mediation?
No. People often explore mediation because something remains unresolved. Private mediation requires willing participation, and not every situation is appropriate for it. No one has to accept a proposed agreement simply because it is discussed.
Can I speak with Charlie before involving my spouse?
Yes. The complimentary introductory call is individual. It lets you ask about the process without committing either person to mediation. It does not make Charlie your attorney or advocate.
Is mediation the same as marriage counseling?
No. This service focuses on discussing divorce-related issues and possible agreements. It is not therapy or a service intended to repair the marriage.
Will Charlie tell me what I should ask for?
No. Charlie does not provide legal advice or decide what terms are right for you. If you need advice about your rights or a proposed agreement, consult an independent California family-law attorney.
How much does mediation cost?
The introductory phone call is complimentary and lasts up to 15 minutes. Paid mediation is a separate engagement. Ask for the applicable fees, scope, payment terms and cancellation terms before agreeing to begin.
Super Fast Divorce® and Complete Divorce™ prices are for their respective document services—not mediation.
Is everything discussed in mediation confidential?
Ask about the confidentiality rules and limits that apply to the particular process and agreement. Do not assume that every communication or document is protected in the same way.
Mediation also does not automatically make a divorce court file private or sealed.
What if I feel pressured, unsafe or unable to speak freely?
Raise that concern privately before a joint session is arranged. Mediation is not appropriate in every situation.
If there is immediate danger, call 911. For concerns about protection, legal rights or an approaching deadline, seek timely legal help. You do not need to negotiate an agreement to deserve support.
Is this the same as court-connected child custody mediation?
No. Court-connected custody mediation and child custody recommending counseling are separate processes with their own requirements. Private mediation with Charlie is not a substitute for a court-required process.
Can we meet from different locations?
Mediation sessions are held by Zoom. Each participant needs a reliable connection and a suitable private place to participate. Discuss any access, technology or safety concerns before scheduling.
Does reaching an agreement mean the divorce is finished?
Not by itself. Required documents, disclosures and court steps may remain. Clarify who will handle each task and what is included in any separate engagement. The court controls approval and timing.
YOU DON’T NEED A PERFECT PLAN
You can start
with a question.
Speak with Charlie, understand the process and decide whether you want to explore the next step.
Schedule my free intro callComplimentary individual phone introduction, up to 15 minutes. Mediation sessions are held by Zoom.
ALREADY AGREE?
You may be ready
for document help.
Mediation helps people discuss unresolved issues. Document preparation puts your selected terms and directions into the required paperwork.
Super Fast Divorce®More straightforward document work.Complete Divorce™More detailed document preparation.
Neither package includes mediation unless a separate written agreement expressly provides for it. Your application is reviewed before acceptance.