During mediation, spouses meet with divorce mediation specialists. These mediators are trained in strategic communication skills that help them diffuse rising emotions and focus the conversation on the decisions that need to be reached.
As neutral third parties, mediators do not give legal advice or make decisions for you. Rather, they help you reach your own decisions through explanation of the legal process, brainstorming, offering alternatives, and resolving misunderstandings.
While spouses may feel that they are far beyond the compromising stage, having a facilitator present results in clearer, unemotional communication. A skilled mediator provides uninterrupted time for each spouse to speak, asks questions that promote clear communication, and provides information about the legal system.
Our team of skilled and experienced mediators consists of family law attorneys, accountants, and mental health professionals.
We provide a safe space where spouses can have an open and honest conversation that leads to a peaceful resolution. For a complimentary consultation, contact us at Divorce Mediation of California today.
Divorce mediation in Laguna Woods helps empower spouses to retain a voice in the outcome of their divorce settlement. Keeping their divorce out of the court systems and litigation results in long-lasting benefits.
By choosing divorce mediation in Laguna Woods, families stay out of the court system. This is often the number one reason spouses are willing to come together to reach an agreement on their divorce settlement. No one really wants to put their family’s welfare into the hands of the courts.
Once the courts are involved, a judge will rule on the outcome of the settlement. This, of course, includes child custody and visitation rights. In some cases, a family can find themselves under the scrutiny of California Family Courts.
Retain control and make the decisions that affect your family for years to come. For a complimentary consultation, contact us at Divorce Mediation of California today.
By its very nature, litigation leads to power struggles and conflict. Attorneys are there to represent their client and fight for the assets, children, or other aspects of the divorce that the couple cannot agree upon.
Divorce mediation, on the other hand, is based on collaboration and cooperation. While spouses may feel their relationship is long past the stage of compromise and being able to make joint decisions, it is possible.
We see troubled couples resolve their divorce settlement together, every day. By offering a safe space for positive communication, you can come to an agreement. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
Divorce is often an emotionally challenging time for spouses. For children watching their parents separate, those challenges can be overwhelming.
Without conscientious planning, once caring spouses can let feelings of resentment and bitterness override their better judgment. Children get placed into the middle of a bitter litigious battle in which no one really wins.
Once a divorce proceeds to court, a judge must review the evidence presented to come to a decision regarding child custody and visitation. This may require witnesses, including the children.
Children may be called to testify in court proceedings, or may be required to speak to the judge in their chambers.
The judge may also appoint a minor’s counsel. This lawyer is assigned to assist the judge by gathering information. The process may include the following:
Once their investigation is complete, they prepare a report with recommendations and an opinion about what is in the best interest of the child. Judges usually give substantial weight to these reports when determining child custody.
Keep in mind that a minor’s counsel is appointed to work for the best interest of the child.
All court proceedings are a matter of public record, including divorces.
Mediation, on the other hand, is private and confidential. California Law declares that all communication, negotiations, or settlement offers in the course of a mediation must remain confidential.
This means that your private lives remain private—a definite plus for both you and your children.
It can take months, sometimes years, to settle a divorce case through litigation. On the other hand, divorce mediation specialists can help couples reach an agreement in a matter of weeks.
We also file all of the necessary documents with the court, which means you and your family never have to step foot into a courtroom.
Litigation increases the cost of divorce substantially. Whether due to multiple hearings or a case that ultimately goes to court, each spouse is looking at thousands to tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees.
At Divorce Mediation of California, we offer both flat and hourly fees and can discuss the better option during the initial complimentary consultation.
