Divorce mediation

A mediator is neutral. They are not your lawyer and they do not decide anything for you. What separates good options here is training, screening and what documents you walk away with.

Worth knowing: Mediation depends on both people taking part voluntarily and safely. Where there is domestic abuse or coercive control, mediation needs proper screening, trained professionals and safeguards, and it is not always appropriate. If you are in danger, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is on 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788.

Service	Best for	From	Free tier	Rating
Mediate.comThe broadest place to start a local mediator searchDirectory	Parents starting from scratch and wanting to see who is nearby	Mediator sets the fee	Yes	3.8/5
Hello Divorce MediationHourly video mediation inside a DIY platformDirect provider	Couples already using a DIY platform	$300 / session	No	4.3/5
Equitable MediationStructured divorce mediation for couples with kidsDirect provider	Couples with children and shared assets	$3,500	No	4.4/5
Academy of Professional Family MediatorsA directory built only for family mediatorsDirectory	People who specifically want a family mediator rather than a general commercial one	Mediator sets the fee	Yes	4.3/5
Center for Mediation and TrainingFree online sessions, run by supervised traineesDirect provider	Cost-sensitive couples who are comfortable working with supervised trainees	Free for the first sessions	Yes	3.7/5
OvalOptionsA remote mediator rather than a list of themDirect provider	Couples who would rather book a mediator than sift a directory	Quote based	No	3.9/5
Virtual Divorce MediationSeparate rooms, separate screensDirect provider	Couples for whom being in different places makes the conversation possible	Quote based	No	3.7/5

Price checked August 4, 2026

Mediate.com

Mediator sets the fee

3.8/ 5

Our score

Directory
Free plan available
United States and international

A large searchable directory of mediators by location and practice area, including family and divorce work, alongside a long-running library of mediation articles.

What you get

Search by location
Search by practice area
Mediator profiles

Pros

Very wide coverage
Free to search
Useful background reading alongside the listings

Cons

A listing is not a credential check
Quality and family-law experience vary a lot between profiles

Read full review

Price checked August 4, 2026

Hello Divorce Mediation

$300 / session

4.3/ 5

Our score

Direct provider
From $300 / session

Video mediation sold by the session and plugged into the same platform that handles your paperwork, so agreements flow straight into the documents rather than being retyped.

What you get

Video mediation sessions
Parenting plan drafting
Document integration

Pros

Agreements flow into your paperwork
Pay per session, no retainer
Video-first, no travel

Cons

Availability varies by state
Not suited to high-conflict cases

Read full review

Price checked August 4, 2026

Equitable Mediation

$3,500

4.4/ 5

Our score

Direct provider
From $3,500

A structured, multi-session process run by a mediator and a parenting-plan specialist. Fixed-fee packages rather than an hourly meter, which removes the pressure to rush.

What you get

Multi-session mediation
Parenting plan drafting
Property and support agreement
Memorandum of understanding

Pros

Fixed fee, no hourly meter
Dedicated parenting-plan expertise
Clear structured process

Cons

Higher upfront cost
Limited state coverage
Requires both parties willing

Read full review

Price checked August 4, 2026

Academy of Professional Family Mediators

Mediator sets the fee

4.3/ 5

Our score

Directory
Free plan available
United States

A professional directory limited to family mediation, with guidance on how to weigh up a mediator's training, experience, background and fees.

What you get

Family mediator search
Professional standards
Guidance on evaluating a mediator

Pros

Family focused rather than general mediation
Professional membership body with published standards
Practical guidance on choosing between mediators

Cons

Smaller list than the general directories
You still need to check jurisdiction and credentials yourself

Read full review

Price checked August 4, 2026

Center for Mediation and Training

Free for the first sessions

3.7/ 5

Our score

Direct provider
Free plan available
Online, check state limitations

A direct provider and training centre offering online family and divorce mediation, where sessions are conducted by trainees under supervision as part of the training programme.

What you get

Online sessions
Supervised trainee mediators
Family and divorce focus

Pros

Up to six free sessions is genuinely unusual
Online, so no travel
Supervision structure behind the trainee

Cons

Your mediator is in training
State coverage and document output need checking

Read full review

Price checked August 4, 2026

OvalOptions

Quote based

3.9/ 5

Our score

Direct provider
From Quote based
Remote, verify the governing jurisdiction

A direct online divorce mediation provider covering parenting, schedules, property, support and the rest of the settlement conversation.

What you get

Virtual mediation
Parenting and financial issues
Settlement documentation

Pros

One provider to deal with instead of a shortlist
Covers parenting and financial issues in the same process
Virtual sessions

Cons

No public price list
Coverage depends on the mediator's jurisdiction

Read full review

Price checked August 4, 2026

Virtual Divorce Mediation

Quote based

3.7/ 5

Our score

Direct provider
From Quote based
Remote

A remote mediation service designed so both people can take part from different locations, which removes a lot of the logistical friction of sitting in one room.

What you get

Remote sessions
Separate locations
Family and divorce focus

Pros

No shared room required
Easier to schedule around work and childcare
Lower travel cost

Cons

Quote based, so no upfront price
Remote does not automatically mean safe

Read full review