Business Details
38 Years
experience
Trusted Mediation and Collaborative Divorce Services in Danville, CA
De Falla Law & Mediation has been dedicated to transforming the divorce process since 1988. Founded by Emily M. De Falla, a former family law litigator who shifted her practice to prioritize peaceful resolutions, the firm specializes in mediation and collaborative divorce. Our mission is to help families avoid courtroom battles by fostering respectful communication and creating tailored solutions that prioritize children's well-being. With decades of experience in family law and advanced training in alternative dispute resolution, we combine legal expertise with compassionate guidance. Our team maintains active memberships in prestigious professional organizations, including the State Bar of California and Collaborative Practice East Bay.We serve clients across Contra Costa, Alameda, and San Francisco counties, offering flexible scheduling options for virtual or in-person consultations at our Danville and Walnut Creek offices. Client testimonials consistently highlight our ability to navigate complex emotional and financial issues while maintaining dignity throughout the process. Our practice extends beyond divorce to include prenuptial agreements and marital agreements, ensuring comprehensive family law support. By focusing on structured, non-adversarial approaches, we help clients achieve equitable outcomes that preserve relationships and reduce long-term conflict.
Services
Mediation
Collaborative Divorce
Prenuptial Agreements
Child Custody
Spousal Support
Property Division
Post-Divorce Modifications
Marital Agreements
Legal Consultation
Family Law Services
Details
- Year established: 1988
Highlights and features
- We offer 35+ years of family law experience since 1988
- Our team includes certified collaborative practice professionals
- We provide personalized mediation with flexible scheduling options
- Our practice maintains active membership in key legal associations
- We focus on child-centered solutions in all family matters
Associations and certifications
- The State Bar of California
- Collaborative Practice East Bay
- Academy of Professional Family Mediators
- Association for Alternative Dispute Resolution of Northern California
What people say
Compassionate support
Effective resolution
Professional and caring
Unmatched professionalism
Peaceful outcomes
Services
Mediation
Our mediation services provide a structured, non-adversarial approach to resolving family law disputes. Emily De Falla, a trained mediator with decades of family law experience, facilitates productive conversations between couples to create customized agreements. This confidential process prioritizes children's well-being while reducing emotional stress and legal costs compared to traditional litigation.
Collaborative Divorce
Collaborative divorce employs an interdisciplinary team approach to resolve family law matters outside court. Our process includes specially trained attorneys, communication coaches, and financial specialists who work together to create comprehensive solutions. This method maintains respectful communication while addressing complex emotional and financial issues through structured team meetings.
Prenuptial Agreements
We help couples create equitable prenuptial agreements that address financial expectations and potential future scenarios. Our approach balances legal protection with relationship preservation, guiding clients through sensitive discussions about property division, spousal support, and other important considerations in a supportive environment.
Child Custody
Our child custody services focus on creating parenting plans that prioritize children's best interests while respecting parental rights. We help establish custody arrangements, visitation schedules, and decision-making responsibilities through mediation or collaborative processes that minimize conflict and promote cooperative co-parenting relationships.
Spousal Support
We assist clients in determining fair spousal support arrangements during divorce proceedings. Our services include evaluating financial needs, calculating appropriate support amounts, and creating sustainable agreements through mediation or collaborative negotiations that consider both parties' circumstances and future financial stability.
People
Emily M. De Falla
Attorney and Mediator
Emily De Falla is a family law attorney with 35+ years of experience who transitioned from litigation to mediation after witnessing the emotional toll of courtroom battles. She specializes in collaborative divorce and conflict resolution, maintaining active memberships in multiple legal associations while prioritizing client-centered solutions that protect family relationships.
Questions
What is the difference between mediation and collaborative divorce?
Mediation involves a neutral third party facilitating negotiations between couples. Collaborative divorce uses an interdisciplinary team approach with specialized professionals to address legal, emotional, and financial aspects of divorce in a structured process.
How long does the mediation process typically take?
Mediation timelines vary based on case complexity, but most divorces complete within 3-6 months. Sessions are scheduled at your convenience, allowing faster resolution compared to traditional litigation which can take years.
Do you offer free initial consultations?
Yes, we provide free 15-minute phone consultations to discuss your specific situation and explain how our mediation or collaborative divorce processes can help you achieve your goals.
Can you help with child custody arrangements?
Yes, we specialize in creating child-centered custody agreements through mediation. Our process helps parents establish parenting plans that prioritize children's well-being while addressing each family's unique needs.
Are your services available outside Contra Costa County?
We serve clients throughout the Bay Area including Alameda County, San Francisco County, and Solano County from our Danville and Walnut Creek offices.
What professional credentials do you hold?
We maintain active memberships in the State Bar of California, Collaborative Practice East Bay, Academy of Professional Family Mediators, and other key legal associations focused on family law and alternative dispute resolution.
