Divorce Mediation in North Carolina

How GHMA | LAW Uses Mediation to Resolve Divorce Disputes with Clarity, Control, and Respect

At GHMA | LAW, we understand that divorce is not only a legal process — it's a life-altering transition. When couples choose to end a marriage, one of the first decisions they face is how to resolve the issues that remain: asset division, support, and—when applicable—parenting arrangements. For many, mediation offers a more dignified, cost-effective, and constructive path forward than courtroom litigation.

Our attorneys at GHMA | LAW regularly guide clients through the divorce mediation process, either by representing them in sessions with a neutral mediator or by serving as mediators themselves in appropriate cases. Whether you’re looking for a less adversarial way to resolve your divorce or you’ve been referred to mediation by the court or another attorney, we’re here to help you approach the process with clarity and confidence.

What Is Divorce Mediation?

Divorce mediation is a structured negotiation process led by a neutral third-party mediator, designed to help spouses reach agreement on the legal and financial issues involved in ending their marriage. It is confidential, voluntary (with some exceptions), and increasingly favored by North Carolina courts as a first approach to resolving divorce disputes.

Mediation can take place before, during, or even after a divorce is filed. At its best, it gives clients more control over outcomes, reduces emotional strain, and avoids the time and expense of trial.

How Mediation Fits into the Divorce Process

If you are working with an attorney at GHMA | LAW, mediation may be introduced at several points:

• Pre-Filing: In some cases, clients wish to explore resolution before formal court involvement. Mediation can help create a fully negotiated separation agreement that becomes part of the divorce filing.
• During the Case: If your case is filed and in progress, the court may order mediation — or your attorney may recommend it to resolve remaining issues efficiently.
• Post-Judgment: Some clients return to mediation to address enforcement or modification of previous orders, including child custody, child support, or alimony.

Whether court-ordered or voluntary, mediation is often the most strategic way to resolve disputes without surrendering your rights or resorting to public litigation.

The Benefits of Divorce Mediation

Clients often find mediation to be:

• Private – Unlike court hearings, mediation sessions are confidential.
• Flexible – You and your spouse have greater say in timing, structure, and outcomes.
• Less Expensive – Mediation usually costs significantly less than prolonged litigation.
• Child-Centered – It allows parents to craft parenting plans that reflect real-life family dynamics.
• Durable – Agreements reached through mutual consent tend to hold up better over time than court-imposed orders.

Our attorneys work closely with clients during mediation — preparing thoroughly, protecting your legal rights, and advising you on every offer and counteroffer along the way.

Working with GHMA | LAW in Mediation

Whether we are representing you or acting as the neutral mediator, our role is to ensure the process is handled with integrity, professionalism, and deep legal insight.

• Our attorneys are Board Certified Specialists in Family Law. They bring top-tier expertise and decades of experience into every mediation.
• Patrick Amburgey is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a trained arbitrator.
• Janet Amburgey is a Certified Family Financial Mediator by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission.
• We regularly work with other top-tier mediators in the state when serving as counsel, and we maintain excellent relationships across the professional community.

You’ll never be left guessing about what’s happening, what your options are, or how to protect your interests.

Mediation Isn't Just a Trend; It’s Often a Better Way to Divorce

Choosing mediation doesn’t mean giving in. It means taking ownership of the outcome — and choosing a path that’s focused on resolution, not retaliation.

If you’re considering divorce or currently navigating one, speak with one of our experienced family law attorneys about whether mediation is the right next step. Whether it becomes your primary resolution method or a tool used along the way, mediation is often where lasting progress begins.