Nancy J. Madsen

Attorney and Mediator

High-Quality, Cost-Effective Divorce Mediation and Consultation

Experience, Training
and Expertise

I bring a unique combination of experience, training, and expertise to my mediation and consultation services. Through my work as the first custody mediator appointed by Superior Court, and decades of work as a family law mediating attorney, I am the most experienced family law mediator in Santa Barbara County.

Santa Barbara County’s First Family Custody Mediator

I was hired by the Santa Barbara County Superior Court to create the Family Court Services child custody mediation program that is still used today. I served as the County’s first Family Custody Mediator, and conducted over 1,300 child custody mediations during my work there. I gained extensive experience helping parents and children who were experiencing the pain and confusion of separation and divorce. In most cases, the mediation process was successful in creating a nurturing parenting plan for the best interests of the children.

Parent Education

In collaboration with therapists and family law colleagues, I helped to create Santa Barbara County's mandatory parent education course, "Children in the Middle" (now known as PEACE). I received a Pro Bono Service Award from the Santa Barbara County Bar Association in recognition of my contribution to this course.

Over 500 Successful Mediations

In my years of private practice and through my work as the Superior Court’s custody mediator, I regularly found litigation to be damaging to the parties and unnecessarily expensive. I have an instinct for settlement negotiation, rather than for contentious courtroom arguments, and for the last twenty years I have limited my work to family law mediation and consultation. I guide divorcing clients toward a reasonable out-of-court settlement. I have mediated over 500 family law matters, and approximately 95% of these mediations have resulted in settlement terms for all issues.

Why Choose Mediation?

The decision to end a marriage is difficult, and most people have little or no knowledge about the laws and court processes that affect separating parents and their children. They are often worried and afraid, and they need help. As an experienced family law mediator, I educate and guide clients through all steps of the divorce process, and help them to reach a comprehensive settlement.

Mediation Is Empowering

The most important aspect of mediation is that parting spouses work together to create mutually agreed-upon settlements of all legal issues, instead of placing decision-making power in a judge after expensive and usually acrimonious court hearings.

A Calm and Supportive Environment

In my private and comfortable home office, I provide a calm and supportive environment where clients can feel safe and valued, and this helps them to resolve their issues in a respectful and productive way.

Hopes, Fears, and Needs Are Respected

I have learned to anticipate and respect the hopes, fears, and needs of my clients, and this helps in settlement negotiations. I received clinical training though my graduate education in social work, and although my mediation and consultation services are not clinical therapy, there is often a therapeutic side-effect to the mediation process.

Customized Mediation

Each mediation case is unique. Some clients need a highly structured environment, which I provide as needed. Other clients are able, with the benefit of my guidance and the neutral setting my office provides, to make progress with less structure. I assess the needs of new clients and work in whatever way is best for them.

Mediation is Cost-Effective

I offer high-quality, cost-effective services. My total fees for mediation are usually less than either party would have paid for an attorney’s initial retainer. This is true even for complicated cases involving millions of dollars in assets, complex spousal support issues, and contentious child custody issues.

Settlement Through Mediation

As a mediator, I inform clients regarding the laws affecting the dissolution of marriage, and assist them in their negotiation process for the division of property, parenting plans for minor children, child and spousal support, and payment of court and mediation and consultation fees. When an agreement is reached, I create a Marital Settlement Agreement that contains the resolution of all issues. This document becomes part of the Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage, a binding court order.

Referrals

My primary referral sources for new clients come from previously satisfied clients, other attorneys, and mental health professionals. I am proud that other professionals recommend my services to their own clients and patients, and that previous mediation clients suggest me to others who might need the type of help I can provide.

Education

University of California Bachelor of Arts

UCLA School of Law Juris Doctor

UCLA School of Public Affairs Master of Social Welfare

Free Initial Consultation

I offer a free 20-minute consultation in person, by telephone, or Zoom, to discuss the mediation process and to provide basic family law information.

(805) 680-9361

Contact by Email

Main Office

1714 Olive Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93101