Divorce co-mediation in San Diego: two mediators, one family-focused process
Legal, financial and parenting decisions deserve a coordinated conversation.
Scott Levin and Mary Levin bring different training to the same mediation. Both remain neutral while helping you work through the decisions that connect your finances, your children and life in two households.
Scott Levin
Attorney · CDFA® · Neutral Mediator
Legal and financial analysis, settlement options and the written agreement.
Meet Scott →
Mary Levin
Co-Parenting Specialist®
Parenting, communication and the practical details of raising children in two homes.
Meet Mary →2024–2027
Legal + financial + parenting guidance
More complete conversations. More workable agreements.
- Scott leads legal and financial analysis
- Mary brings focused co-parenting expertise
- Both spouses remain heard and supported
- One coordinated path toward agreement
Kind words
What our clients say
★★★★★
“He made sure both parties felt heard and respected, helping us navigate a challenging time with patience and care.”
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Divorce is incredibly difficult, both emotionally and mentally, but I am so grateful for the support and guidance I received throughout this process. My mediator was not only thoughtful and understanding but also incredibly fair from start to finish. He made sure both parties felt heard and respected, helping us navigate a challenging time with patience and care. His balanced approach made all the difference, and I truly feel that he facilitated a resolution that was fair and considerate for everyone involved. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a mediator who is both professional and compassionate.
★★★★★
“He was fair and respectful to both parties and most of all ensured that our kids would have the best outcome in this very sad breakup of our family.”
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I was told repeatedly it would be absolutely impossible to mediate in my highly contentious divorce with decades together, a # of children, lots of accounts and properties- it was overwhelming and typically is the kind of divorce that takes many many years and many 100s of 1000s of dollars. But then we found Scott. He was fair and respectful to both parties and most of all ensured that our kids would have the best outcome in this very sad breakup of our family. He kept it fair, affordable and quick. He is personable and he really cares. The mediators my friends have used in their own situations PALE in comparison to Scott Levin. My family has always been the most important thing in the world to me and our choice of mediator helped to keep us sane, calm and hopeful throughout this devastating situation in the middle of a pandemic. He allowed us to stagger visits so we did not need to be present together bc of the high conflict circumstances. Very grateful Scott Levin made the impossible possible, by guiding us through from start to finish!
★★★★★
“Scott finds a way to get all the hard button topics out in the open and comes up with solutions to really understand what is best for both parties and most importantly for the kids.”
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Scott and his team are fantastic at providing their clients with a constructive, yet cost-effective way to end a marriage. There are many hard conversations that need to be had during this time. Scott finds a way to get all the hard button topics out in the open and comes up with solutions to really understand what is best for both parties and most importantly for the kids. I would highly recommend San Diego Divorce and Mediation. Thanks Scott!
Reviews describe individual clients’ experiences. Every family’s situation is different, and results vary.
See whether co-mediation fits your family
On a free 15-minute call, Scott and Mary explain how they would work together in your situation.
What is divorce co-mediation?
In co-mediation, you and your spouse work with two neutral mediators who bring different training to the same table. Scott covers California family law, finances, settlement options, and drafting your agreement. Mary helps parents think through communication, schedules, and how your family will actually function after separation.
The point is not to make the process more complicated. It is to give the decisions that shape your family’s future more than one set of eyes.
Why two mediators? Because divorce is not only a legal problem.
A legally correct agreement can still leave parents unprepared for daily life. A thoughtful parenting plan can still fail if the financial terms are unclear. Co-mediation connects those conversations instead of treating them as unrelated.
Broader expertise
Legal, financial, and parenting questions are handled in one coordinated process, not in separate silos with separate professionals.
More balance in the room
Two neutrals help both of you feel heard, and make it harder for one person’s way of framing things to take over.
More creative solutions
Scott and Mary notice different things and ask different questions, which turns up practical options one mediator might miss.
More empathy
As a married couple, Scott and Mary understand how family relationships work, and that shapes how they guide difficult conversations.
Scott and Mary are married parents of three sons. They don't expect divorcing couples to communicate perfectly. They help you build enough structure to make respectful, informed decisions and cut down on avoidable conflict later.
Scott Levin, Esq., CDFA®, is a California attorney since 2004, a Certified Mediator through Mediate.com and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®). Mary Levin, Co-Parenting Specialist®, focuses on how children move between homes, how parents communicate, and how your family responds when schedules and needs change.
Watch · 29 seconds
Who does what in co-mediation
Scott and Mary describe how the work divides. Scott focuses on the legal and financial settlement questions. Mary helps keep communication productive and respectful and brings a parenting perspective.
Both work as neutrals, so neither one is either spouse’s advocate. The decisions stay with the two of you.
Video: Co-Mediation: The Peaceful Divorce Method More Couples Are Choosing
Two perspectives. One coordinated process.
Tell us what is going on, and we will tell you honestly whether co-mediation fits.
Co-Parenting Support and Parenting Coordination
Parenting disagreements don’t necessarily end when a divorce is finalized.
Mary Levin, Co-Parenting Specialist®, helps parents navigate communication difficulties, parenting schedules, holiday arrangements, children’s activities, and the practical challenges of raising children in two households.
For parents experiencing recurring disagreements, our office can also discuss whether a more structured parenting coordination process may be appropriate, including the qualifications, agreements, and court authorization that may be required.
Need Help With Co‑Parenting After Divorce?
Parenting schedules, holidays, and children’s needs change. Mary helps parents work through disagreements and find practical solutions without turning every issue into another legal battle. If the issue also requires changing a parenting or support order, explore post-divorce mediation.
More Than a Custody Schedule
Build a parenting plan your family can rely on.
A parenting plan should do more than divide days between two homes. It should give parents clear expectations about communication, decision-making, transitions, and the situations most likely to create conflict after divorce.
A schedule that fits your children
What parenting schedule makes sense in light of your children’s ages, school, activities, relationships, and each parent’s work obligations?
Clear decision-making
Which decisions should require advance discussion, and what process will the parents use if they cannot initially agree?
Better communication
How will parents share important information about school, healthcare, activities, and changes affecting the children without creating unnecessary tension?
Predictable transitions
How can exchanges, transportation, childcare, and schedule changes be handled in a way that reduces confusion and conflict?
Holidays, travel, and special occasions
How will the family address holidays, birthdays, vacations, travel, family events, and other occasions that do not fit neatly into the regular schedule?
A plan that can adapt
What happens when work schedules change, children grow older, activities become more demanding, or part of the original plan no longer works?
Want a parenting plan that holds up in real life?
Start with a free 15-minute call about your family and the decisions in front of you.
For the legal framework, see California Courts’ child custody and parenting-time guidance.
Is co-mediation right for us?
It helps most when the issues overlap:
- You have children and want a more thoughtful parenting agreement
- Money decisions affect housing, support, or parenting choices
- One or both of you worry about being heard
- Communication is hard, but you both want to stay out of court
- You want agreements designed to reduce future conflict
What co-mediation is not
Two professionals, not two opposing advocates. Scott and Mary stay neutral. There is no “his mediator” and “her mediator,” and neither represents one of you against the other. They work as one team to help you both build your own agreement.
Either of you can still talk to an independent attorney for personal legal advice while you continue in co-mediation.
How co-mediation works
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1. Joint consultation
A free 15-minute call about your family. You learn how Scott and Mary split their roles and whether it is a good fit.
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2. Map the issues
We sort out the legal, financial, and parenting decisions in front of you and the information needed to decide them.
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3. Work through decisions
Scott and Mary guide the conversations, together or with whoever’s expertise fits the topic best.
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4. Your agreement is written
Scott drafts your settlement and prepares the court paperwork. In most cases you never appear before a judge.
Want more detail on each stage? See how the divorce mediation process works, from the first consultation to the final court paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
Do both mediators attend every session?
It depends on your family and the issues involved. On your free consultation, Scott and Mary will explain how they would work together in your situation.
Does co-mediation cost more than one mediator?
Fees depend on how your sessions are structured. On a free call, Scott will explain exactly what is included, so there are no surprises.
Can co-mediation help if we disagree about custody?
Yes. You don’t need to arrive with an agreed schedule. You do both need to take part willingly, share the information needed, and be open to options that put your children first.
Can you also handle property and support?
Yes. Scott helps you work through property, debts, income, child and spousal support, retirement, real estate, businesses, and taxes.
Will our agreement be legally binding?
Once it is signed and approved by the court, it becomes an enforceable court order. Scott drafts the agreement and files the uncontested paperwork.
Can we use co-mediation after the divorce?
Yes. Co-parents often come back to update schedules, communication rules, decision-making, or support as their children and circumstances change. Learn more about post-divorce parenting plan and support modifications.
Is co-mediation only for couples with children?
It helps most when children are involved or emotions run high. If you have no children, regular divorce mediation with Scott may be all you need.
Other ways we can help
Find out whether two mediators would help your family
A free 15-minute call is the easiest first step. Tell us what is going on, and we will tell you honestly whether co-mediation fits.
Or call 858-293-1410
9820 Willow Creek Rd, Suite 410
San Diego, CA 92131
858-293-1410
San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Chula Vista, and Orange County