Divorce Mediation Services.

Where You and Your Family’s Needs Come First.

Contact Us

Looking for an amicable and affordable way to finalise your divorce? At Barter McKellar, we offer professional divorce mediation services to help couples in South Africa reach fair, legally sound agreements — without the stress, delays and costs of a contested court battle.

What Is Divorce Mediation?

Divorce mediation is a voluntary, confidential process where separating spouses work with a neutral, qualified mediator to resolve the key issues arising from their divorce, such as:

  • Division of assets and debts

  • Child care and contact (custody and visitation)

  • Maintenance (spousal and child support)

  • Parenting plans

  • Any other financial or practical arrangements

At Barter McKellar, our experienced mediators facilitate respectful, solution-focused discussions — helping couples reach agreements that protect their rights, children’s best interests and future co-parenting relationships.

Why Choose Divorce Mediation?

  • Save Time and Costs

Divorce mediation is typically faster and more affordable than a contested court divorce. You avoid months (or years) of drawn-out litigation and escalating legal fees.

  • Control the Outcome

You and your spouse retain control over the decisions — instead of having a judge impose rulings that may not suit your family’s needs.

  • Preserve Relationships

Mediation fosters constructive communication — an invaluable benefit if you will continue to co-parent after the divorce.

  • Confidentiality

Unlike court proceedings, mediation is private and confidential — protecting your family’s dignity and sensitive information.

Is Divorce Mediation Right for You?

Divorce mediation is ideal for couples who:

  • Want to separate amicably

  • Are open to cooperative problem-solving

  • Wish to put their children’s best interests first

  • Prefer to avoid adversarial legal proceedings

  • Want to save costs and time

It is also a valuable option where there is conflict, but both parties are willing to work towards a mediated agreement with the guidance of a trained neutral.

Our Divorce Mediation Services at Barter McKellar

At Barter McKellar, our experienced legal team provides a comprehensive mediation service, including:

  • Pre-Mediation Consultation

We meet with each party separately to explain the process, address concerns and assess suitability for mediation.

  • Mediation Sessions

We facilitate structured sessions where you and your spouse can discuss and negotiate all aspects of your divorce with the guidance of a neutral mediator.

  • Drafting the Settlement Agreement

Once agreement is reached, we draft a legally sound Settlement Agreement (and Parenting Plan, if applicable), which can be made an order of court.

  • Court Finalisation Support

We assist with uncontested divorce applications and ensure that your settlement is formally recognised and enforceable.

Why Choose Barter McKellar for Divorce Mediation?

  • Experienced family law professionals

  • Skilled, impartial mediators

  • Child-focused approach

  • Legally enforceable agreements

  • Efficient, affordable services

  • Mediation tailored to your needs — in-person or online mediation available for your convenience

We serve clients throughout South Africa, but predominantly in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Contact Barter McKellar | Divorce Mediation Lawyers South Africa

Ready to explore a more amicable way to divorce? Contact Barter McKellar today to arrange an initial consultation.

  • Yes. Once a Settlement Agreement (and Parenting Plan, if applicable) is signed and made an order of court, it becomes legally binding and enforceable.

  • Absolutely. You can pause contested proceedings and attempt mediation at any stage — and often avoid unnecessary litigation.

  • While mediation itself is neutral, you are always encouraged to obtain independent legal advice

  • Yes — divorce mediation is generally much more affordable than a contested court divorce.

    Legal fees in a drawn-out court battle can escalate quickly, especially if multiple hearings, experts, and attorneys are involved.

    In mediation, you typically pay for a set number of mediation sessions and for the drafting of the Settlement Agreement and Parenting Plan — at a fraction of the cost of litigation. Many couples finalise their divorce through mediation with minimal legal costs and faster resolution.

  • It depends on how many issues need to be resolved and the level of cooperation between the parties, but most mediations can be concluded in 2 to 6 sessions.

    Once an agreement is reached, finalising the divorce through an uncontested divorce process can take another 4 to 8 weeks, depending on court processing times in your jurisdiction.

    By contrast, contested divorces in South Africa can take 1 to 3 years or longer.

  • Yes — divorce mediation is a confidential process.

    Discussions, offers and proposals made during mediation cannot be used in court if the matter proceeds to litigation, unless the parties otherwise agree.

    This confidentiality encourages open and honest negotiation, helping couples reach practical solutions.

    At Barter McKellar, we provide neutral, private mediation services, giving you peace of mind.

  • It is very common for couples to agree on some issues but not all. If full agreement is not reached, you can:

    • Sign a partial settlement on the issues you do agree on

    • Proceed to court on the remaining disputed issues only (saving time and costs)

    • Continue with further mediation if both parties are willing

    Our experienced mediators at Barter McKellar help couples work through even complex disagreements, but you remain in control of whether to settle or not.

  • Yes — a qualified, neutral family law attorney can act as your mediator.

    But, when in the role of mediator, the lawyer does not represent either party and cannot give individual legal advice. The mediator helps both parties reach agreement and ensures the agreement is legally sound.

    Many clients also choose to obtain independent legal advice alongside the mediation process, and this is encouraged, especially where significant assets or children are involved.

    At Barter McKellar, our mediators are experienced family law attorneys who understand both the legal and emotional dynamics of divorce. We also offer hybrid mediation models where legal advice can be incorporated if needed.