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Experienced, Compassionate Mediation for Seattle Families and Businesses

When a marriage ends or a business dispute threatens everything you’ve built, you deserve guidance from someone who understands both the legal landscape and the human side of conflict. Compass Mediation Group has deep roots in the Seattle area, offering professional mediation backed by 25+ years of experience that helps you move forward with clarity and dignity.

Led by Alisa Kharis — a Master Mediator certified through the International Mediation Association (IMA), a Juris Doctorate graduate of Seattle University School of Law, and a former practicing attorney with 16 years of trial and motions experience in Washington state courts — our Seattle mediation practice provides a safe, structured space where agreements are reached without the emotional and financial toll of litigation. Alisa also holds a B.A. in Political Science (Cum Laude) from Washington State University and is an IRS Enrolled Agent, bringing a rare combination of legal, financial, and interpersonal expertise to every case.

As a Washington-based practice, we bring deep, firsthand knowledge of Washington state law and King County court procedures to every session — gained through years of practicing in King, Pierce, Kitsap, Whatcom, and Grays Harbor county courts. All sessions are conducted virtually, so you can participate from the comfort and privacy of your own home anywhere in the greater Seattle area.

Our Seattle Mediation Services

Divorce Mediation in Seattle

Divorce is one of life’s most stressful transitions — but it doesn’t have to be a battle. Our divorce mediation process helps couples in the Seattle area divide assets, establish support arrangements, and create parenting plans without the adversarial nature of courtroom proceedings.

Washington is a community property state, which means assets and debts acquired during the marriage are generally considered jointly owned. Navigating community property division requires careful analysis, and as an IRS Enrolled Agent — a credential Alisa earned in 2022 and also applies through her work at Compass Tax Center, our sister company specializing in tax services — she brings tax expertise most mediators simply cannot offer. Your property settlement considers not just what’s fair today, but the long-term financial implications for both parties.

Family Mediation

Family disputes extend beyond divorce. Whether you need help with parenting-plan modifications, elder-care decisions, or conflicts between family members, our family mediation services provide a neutral, structured environment where everyone’s voice is heard.

Washington state requires a detailed parenting plan for any custody arrangement. Drawing on her 16 years of family law, civil litigation, and general practice experience, Alisa helps parents develop comprehensive plans that address residential schedules, decision-making authority, dispute-resolution methods, and relocation provisions — all centered on the best interests of your children.

Business and Estate Mediation

Partnership disagreements, succession-planning conflicts, and estate disputes can fracture relationships and destroy value. Our business and estate mediation services help stakeholders find workable solutions that preserve both relationships and assets. Alisa’s extensive business background — including founding and running Synergy Relations, a consultation and strategic communications firm, since 2003 — gives her practical insight into the operational realities business owners face during disputes.

Understanding King County Court Procedures

If you’re considering divorce in the Seattle area, your case will likely be filed in King County Superior Court. While Washington courts encourage mediation, navigating the procedural requirements — from mandatory waiting periods to financial disclosure obligations — can feel overwhelming.

Compass Mediation Group helps you understand what the court requires so your mediated agreements meet all legal standards. Alisa’s 16 years of prior legal practice in Washington state courts, including extensive trial and motions work in King County and neighboring jurisdictions, means she understands the procedural landscape from the inside. Although mediators do not provide legal advice to either party, our process is designed to ensure your agreements are thorough, informed, and ready for court approval.

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Seattle-Area Communities We Serve

Our virtual mediation format allows us to serve clients throughout the greater Puget Sound region. We regularly work with individuals and families in:

  • Downtown Seattle & Capitol Hill — serving Seattle’s urban core with flexible scheduling that fits busy professional lives
  • Bellevue & Kirkland — Eastside residents benefit from virtual sessions with no need to cross the bridge or fight I-405 traffic
  • Redmond — tech-industry professionals who value efficient, solution-oriented processes
  • Tacoma & South Sound — Pierce County residents who want access to experienced mediation without the commute to Seattle
  • Everett & Snohomish County — North Sound communities connected through convenient virtual sessions
  • Olympia & Thurston County — state-capital-area residents served through the same high-quality virtual platform

No matter where you are in the Puget Sound region, you receive the same attentive, personalized mediation experience.

Why Virtual Mediation Works for Seattle

Seattle’s geography — spread across waterways, hills, and sprawling suburbs — can make in-person meetings a logistical headache. Traffic on I-5, SR-520, and I-90 turns a 20-mile drive into an hour-long ordeal. Virtual mediation eliminates that friction entirely.

Our clients tell us that participating from home actually improves the process. You’re in a familiar environment where you feel safe and grounded. There’s no anxiety about sitting in a waiting room. And for families with children, there’s no need to arrange extended childcare for travel time.

Every virtual session is conducted on a secure, confidential platform with the same professionalism and structure as an in-person meeting.

Why Seattle Families Choose Compass Mediation Group

Local expertise, national reach

Based in Washington with deep knowledge of Washington state family law and King County procedures, backed by 16 years of courtroom experience across five Washington counties.

25+ years of mediation experience

Alisa Kharis holds a Master Mediator certification from the International Mediation Association (IMA) and a JD from Seattle University School of Law.

Financial acumen

As an IRS Enrolled Agent and founder of Compass Tax Center, Alisa ensures your financial agreements consider tax implications others might miss.

Established practice

Formerly known as Blend Mediation, and part of the Synergy Relations family of companies.

Proven client satisfaction

See what our Seattle clients say on our Yelp listing.

Thought leader

Host of the Breakthrough Today podcast, where Alisa shares insights on conflict resolution, communication, and personal growth.

yelp Reviews5.0 ★★★★★(2)
Review us on Yelp
What Clients Say
AI summary
★★★★★
  • Intelligent, personable, and emotionally perceptive
  • Listens carefully and asks insightful, issue-revealing questions
  • Helps clients reach fair, mutually beneficial resolutions with confidence
C
Carl R.
June 9, 2021 · on Yelp
★★★★★

Intelligent and personable with a high EQ. Keeps it simple, gives respectful but tough-love guidance to keep clients focused on a mutually respectful outcome that leaves both sides knowing they did the right thing. I highly recommend Alisa for divorce mediation — even if you’re tempted to “lawyer up,” talk to Alisa first. Read more

K
Keith I.
May 20, 2021 · on Yelp
★★★★★

Finding a mediator can be tricky — even knowing you need one is tricky. Where do you start? I was fortunate to meet Alisa through a referral from a trusted advisor, and I couldn’t have gotten a better one. She was exactly what the process needed, and listened very carefully throughout. Read more

Ready to take the first step?

Schedule a free consultation or call (888) 851-8856 to see how mediation can help your Seattle-area family or business move forward.

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Important Note:

Compass Mediation Group does not provide legal advice or legal representation. Alisa Kharis is a mediator, not a practicing attorney. Her legal background informs and enriches the mediation process, but she does not act as an attorney for any party. Both partners are encouraged to consult with independent attorneys for legal counsel. If you need legal representation, we are happy to refer you to qualified attorneys.