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703-665-7592

Welcome to DMA

A More Human Alternative to Traditional Divorce

Serving VA, DC, MD & Clients Nationwide

Request Consultation
703-665-7592
Welcome to DMA

A More Human Alternative to Traditional Divorce

Serving VA, DC, MD & Clients Nationwide

Request Consultation
703-665-7592
Welcome to DMA

A More Human Alternative to Traditional Divorce

Serving VA, DC, MD & Clients Nationwide

Request Consultation
703-665-7592
Welcome to DMA

A More Human Alternative to Traditional Divorce

Serving VA, DC, MD & Clients Nationwide

Request Consultation
703-665-7592
Welcome to DMA

A More Human Alternative to Traditional Divorce

Serving VA, DC, MD & Clients Nationwide

Request Consultation
703-665-7592
Welcome to DMA

A More Human Alternative to Traditional Divorce

Serving VA, DC, MD & Clients Nationwide

Request Consultation
703-665-7592
Welcome to DMA

A More Human Alternative to Traditional Divorce

Serving VA, DC, MD & Clients Nationwide

Request Consultation
703-665-7592
Same-Day Virtual Consultations
Flexible Payment Arrangements Available
Trusted Divorce Mediation Services
Empathetic, Child‑Focused Approach
Case-By-Case Financial Evaluation

30+
Years of Mediation Experience

Divorce Mediation Associates, LTD offers trusted and fair divorce mediation and conflict resolution services to clients in Reston, VA. We also work with couples across the United States and internationally.

About DMA

Resolving Conflicts With Compassion and Expertise

At Divorce Mediation Associates, LTD, we understand that navigating legal disputes can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve dedicated ourselves to providing compassionate and effective mediation services across Virginia, Maryland, the DC metropolitan area, and nationwide. We also work with clients living overseas, providing flexible mediation services regardless of location. With over three decades of experience in conflict resolution, we’ve helped countless individuals and families find amicable solutions to complex legal issues. Our integrated approach combines legal expertise with psychological insights, ensuring that we address not just the legal aspects of your case, but also the emotional and personal dimensions.

As a local, family-owned, and woman-owned business founded in 2016, we take pride in our deep roots within the community. We offer a range of services tailored to meet your unique needs, including divorce mediation, marital separation agreements, and prenuptial consultations. Understanding that every situation is different, we provide personalized attention and flexible solutions, including virtual consultations and same-day appointments for urgent matters. We’re committed to making our services accessible, offering case-by-case evaluations of financial needs and payment arrangements upon request. Contact us today.

Need Our Services?

Call: 703-665-7592

Opening Hours

Mon - Fri 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday 8:30 am - 12:00 pm

Email Us

drpatrice@dmava.com

Practice Areas

Guiding You Toward Positive Resolutions

Learn More
Divorce Mediation

Divorce can be a challenging and emotional process, but it doesn't have to be adversarial. Our divorce mediation services offer a more cooperative and less stressful alternative to traditional litigation.

Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

Planning for the future is an act of love and responsibility. We help couples create prenuptial and postnuptial agreements that provide clarity and security in their relationships.

Conflict Resolution

Our conflict resolution services are designed to help parties find common ground and reach mutually beneficial agreements. We employ proven techniques and strategies to facilitate productive discussions, identify underlying interests, and generate creative solutions.

Marital Separation & Property Settlement Agreements

When couples decide to separate, clear and fair agreements are crucial for a smooth transition. We assist in drafting comprehensive marital separation and property settlement agreements that address all relevant issues, from financial matters to parenting arrangements.

Finding Solutions Together

Meet Our Team at Divorce Mediation Associates, LTD

Meet The Team

At Divorce Mediation Associates, LTD, we pride ourselves on offering innovative and personalized solutions for couples seeking a divorce. Our team of seasoned professionals, with over 40 years of experience, includes expert witnesses in Federal and State Courts, ensuring you receive top-notch service and expertise. We understand the importance of addressing your unique family circumstances, and our mediators, who are also an attorney and a mental health specialist, are dedicated to fostering open and honest communication. This allows us to create comprehensive agreements that meet the needs of both parties and any children involved.

Steven M. Garver

Trial Attorney & Divorce Mediator

Dr. Patrice Garver

Mental Health Professional

Testimonials

Real Experiences, Real Results

I know Patrice Garver and refer clients to her with the greatest knowledge that the clients are in great hands. Patrice is a an accomplished Mental Health professionals that guides clients through the thorny issues of parenting and self care during divorce. I highly recommend her.

Joan C

Steve and Patrice were very informative. They did a great job guiding us through our prenuptial agreement.

Felix B

Divorce is so hard and each family has unique circumstances. Steve and Patrice bring so much professional (and life) experience to the table! They are able to create an environment to work through even the most complex and emotionally charged situations. They help each couple find their own answers and offer options based on YOUR priorities. They will capture the solutions you choose in a clear written agreement that you can be at peace about. You will know experts helped you in a thorough, fair, caring process.

Linda M

Steve and Patrice are competent professionals. And most importantly, good people that genuinely want to alleviate the suffering people go through when getting divorced. Mediation is clearly the best option when getting separated. While it’s incredibly challenging to go through a separation, Steve and Patrice make it so much less toxic than the traditional divorce process. I highly recommend them and I’m thankful that I was recommended to them by several competent divorce attorneys as the go-to mediation team.

James M

Steve and Patrice exhibit a sense of fairness and calm in the storm while having an ability to guide others to find creative solutions and middle ground which somehow works well for all parties and which others would not even have contemplated. Patrice brings to the table her skills as a therapist and Steve his understanding and knowledge of the law and particularly his experience with Northern Virginia Courts. In times of great stress they both have great empathy and an understanding and appreciation for the pain of others.

Mike M

Dr. Garver has a strong passion for her field of clinical psychology. She has had many years of experience working with kids, adolescents and adults. She demonstrates a great work ethic and she has a warm and friendly personality. I highly recommend her!

Monica Aqua Dust 1

Work Process

Learn More About Divorce Mediation Associates, LTD

Located in Reston, VA, Divorce Mediation Associates, LTD works with couples across the United States and multiple continents. We specialize in prenuptial/postnuptial agreements, divorce mediation, marital separation and property settlement agreements, and conflict resolution. In-person and virtual mediations are available. A more human alternative to traditional divorce. Schedule your free consultation.

Helpful Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a divorce mediation-related question? We have the answer. Check out these FAQs and give us a call today for more information!

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Divorce mediation is a cooperative process in which parties work together to find an agreeable solution, whereas litigation is an adversarial process conducted in court. In mediation, parties communicate directly to identify shared interests and reach a settlement outside of court. Litigation, on the other hand, involves minimal communication between parties, with attorneys representing their respective positions in a courtroom setting. For more information, call Divorce Mediation Associates, LTD today.

Family mediation offers several benefits, primarily by reducing conflict between parties. This approach often results in better post-divorce relationships and improved co-parenting. The process typically resolves issues more quickly than litigation, minimizing the impact on children. Additionally, mediation enhances communication between parties and equips them with conflict-resolution skills that can be applied to future disagreements. For family and divorce mediation, call us today.

Family mediation is generally more cost-effective than a lawyer-driven contentious divorce. It allows spouses to find common ground on various legal issues, including custody arrangements, child support, property division, and spousal support. This can transform a contested divorce into an uncontested one, where the agreement is simply presented to a judge for approval. Mediation often avoids the multiple fees associated with litigation, such as attorney fees, discovery costs, expert witness fees, and guardian ad litem fees. For a family and divorce mediator, reach out today.

Divorce mediation may not be suitable in cases involving domestic violence, when one party is actively concealing information, or when there’s a significant power imbalance between the parties. For mediation to be effective, both parties should be on equal footing and able to participate fully in the process without fear or coercion.
A mediated agreement typically holds the status of a binding contract. However, most clients opt to submit their agreement to the family court for incorporation into an official court order. This step ensures that if either party violates the terms of the agreement, the other can seek enforcement through the court system. For divorce mediation, call us today.
Our experience includes working with couples who have had severe communication breakdowns, even those who haven’t had a civil conversation in years. While better relationships facilitate the process, our integrative mediation model is designed to improve communication between partners who struggle to interact. According to Forbes, many contested divorces usually take over a year to finalize, but the average simple divorce can be completed in just three months. We create an environment that encourages each partner to express themselves and understand the other, shifting the focus from adversarial positions to mutual problem-solving. For a professional divorce mediator, call us today.
Even when one party initially appears irrational or inflexible, a skilled divorce mediator can often make progress. We provide relevant information, such as legal standards, recent court decisions, and potential consequences of failing to reach an agreement, which can encourage reconsideration. If direct interaction is challenging, we can separate the parties and act as an intermediary, communicating information between them until an agreement is reached.

Partial agreements can still be valuable outcomes of divorce mediation. Even if you don’t resolve every issue, agreeing on key points can significantly simplify your case. Many clients find that they’re able to settle their remaining differences shortly after mediation, having realized the benefits of maintaining control over their case rather than leaving decisions to a judge. At minimum, mediation often narrows the scope of contested issues, focusing subsequent efforts more efficiently.

Divorce mediation is significantly more cost-effective than traditional legal representation or litigation for divorce settlements. Our fees are considerably lower than those of collaborative divorce alternatives, and we operate on a pay-as-you-go basis, eliminating the need for retainers. For clients with low income and net worth, we offer reduced fees. We can assess your eligibility for these reduced rates at the conclusion of your initial consultation.
It’s never too late to engage in divorce mediation. The process can be initiated at any stage of a legal dispute. Many clients choose to bring their lawyers to mediation sessions to ensure they fully understand their rights and the implications of any agreements made during the process. This approach can be particularly beneficial in complex cases. Visit Divorce Mediation Associates, LTD today to get started!
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Articles & Advice

Explore expert guidance, practical legal resources, and supportive insights designed to help you confidently navigate divorce, mediation, and asset protection. We break down complex family law matters so you can focus on building a peaceful, secure path forward.
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