Resolving Family Law Matters. Efficiently.
So You Can Move On.

Before you hire a divorce lawyer, consider the benefits of
DIVORCE MEDIATION:

  • Savings in attorney fees and no upfront retainer payment
  • Low attorney rates
  • A quicker, more efficient divorce (litigation can take years in court)
  • Legally binding decisions prepared by your mediating attorney
    (without the pressure to agree on the spot)
  • Legal information from a family law attorney, without the threat of divorce court
  • Staying in control of your future
  • Reduced stress and conflict &
  • Resolution typically in a few sessions or less.

    You and your spouse meet in joint sessions and are provided with all of the same legal information and tools that lawyers and judges use in court. You two make your own decisions. Ultimately, your agreement is prepared as a legally binding contract without either of you ever having to go into court.

    A mediating attorney provides the legal help you need,
    while keeping your divorce out of court.


    For more information on Divorce Mediation, see our Mediation Page.

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    Alternatively, if you do need a divorce attorney, our
    INDIVIDUAL DIVORCE HELP offers:

  • Timely phone consultations;
  • Immediate legal protection for child support, spousal support, assets and debts;
  • Hourly attorney consultations, including final contract review;
  • Document review and contract preparation,
  • Strategic negotiation with your spouse (or the attorney) to resolve your divorce efficiently, &
  • Negotiated settlement out of court.


    Many divorces can be resolved out of court. We are committed to giving you the best chances of making this happen.



    ~We offer confidential phone consultations to help you determine which option is best for you.~

    Please call our office to speak with Monica Vantoch directly.
    Calls are typically returned on the same day.

    ~Santa Cruz Offices and Los Gatos Office locations.~
    ~After hours sessions available upon request.~

    Monica L. Vantoch, J.D., Mediating Attorney and Trainer, dedicates her practice exclusively to divorce mediation, based in Santa Cruz and Los Gatos, California.

    She acts as an adjunct professor at Monterey College of Law and Mandell-Gisnet Center for Conflict Management in divorce mediation and teaches divorce workshops at The Esalen Institute. Monica founded and acts as the director of the Family-Law Affordable Mediation (FAM) Project of the Conflict Resolution Center of Santa Cruz County. (See Santa Cruz Sentinel: Divorce Mediation). Monica acts as a trainer and supervising attorney for divorce mediation trainings and divorce workshops throughout the region.

    She has developed her mediation skills by helping hundreds of parties reach resolution, and in doing so has created a systematic, thorough, and efficient method. She has been noted for her calming effect and natural skill facilitating dialogue. She focuses her sessions on useful legal information, and structured, balanced dialogue, so that you and your spouse have all of the information you need to make your own fully-informed decisions. As a divorce lawyer, she uses negotiation strategies to help resolve your divorce efficiently and cost-effectively, out of court whenever possible.

  • TESTIMONIALS

    Clients consistently tell me that her approach is professional, she really listens to them, she has clear explanations, and they finish in only 3 sessions--with an outcome they are both happy with.
    ~Legal Document Services of Santa Cruz
    I am so grateful for all you have done for me. I am ecstatic with your work; you have brilliant ideas and negotiated effectively.
    ~ T.O.
    I don't know where I would be without having had you. You have really been my hero in this and my children's hero.
    ~ G.F.
    I really appreciated your skill in dealing with an extremely charged situation. You managed to make us both feel heard and supported, have the clarity to know when and where to push, and the sensitivity to know when to just be present. I am grateful you were there to hold, examine, and deflect my emotions as we had to march onward through the process.
    ~ T.G.
    We had tried other mediators and we didn't feel comfortable with them. We didn't get very much legal information and we just continued to argue in the session. You immediately had a calming effect on us and helped us feel at ease at a time when things were very hard for us. We both also felt that you remained very neutral and we both really felt supported.
    ~ A.G.
    I know that I can really trust you. You have done such a wonderful job for us and made this difficult time in our lives much easier.
    ~T.S.

    For information on our Nonviolent Communication (NVC)
    Divorce Workshop at
    Esalen Institute: Compassionate Divorce Workshop

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    The information on this site is not intended to be legal advice. Consult an attorney for individual advice.
    Copyright © 2008 by Monica Vantoch. All rights reserved.