Divorce And Family Law Mediation

Not every divorce case has to go through lengthy and costly litigation. In fact, California’s family courts favor resolving conflict through mediation whenever possible. Most divorces are settled through negotiations and ADR (alternative dispute resolution) methods, including mediation. There are many benefits of ADR. as saving time, maintaining privacy, and lowering the cost of a divorce.

At Rodriguez Lagorio, LLP, our attorneys believe every family law and divorce case is unique and deserves a tailored strategy. Whether this means fierce litigation or utilizing our ADR skills, we approach resolving your divorce case in a way that makes sense for your circumstances. We will help you understand the benefits of ADR and how this option can be a smart choice for all parties involved. Discuss your needs with our skilled attorneys today, or learn more about mediation and ADR below.

What Is ADR?

The ADR definition is simple. Alternative dispute resolution methods help people handle disagreements without going to court. Typically, they focus on allowing the parties to negotiate a resolution instead of having a judge impose a ruling. The results from using ADR methods like mediation are usually faster, less expensive, and more satisfying for both parties.

What Is Mediation?

Mediation is one of the most common ADR methods in divorce or family law cases. Both parties can be represented by their own attorney. A third-party neutral will then facilitate communication between the parties to help resolve all divorce issues. The mediation is completely confidential. Furthermore, either party can walk away and pursue litigation if they find the mediation is not resolving the issues at hand.

What Are the Benefits of ADR/Mediation?

There are many benefits to using mediation over litigation. Some of the biggest benefits include:

• Time: Mediation often takes less time and is more efficient than litigation. Divorcing in court can drag on for months and sometimes even years.
• Cost: Mediation is often much less expensive than divorce litigation because it requires less time and fewer back-and-forth legal proceedings.
• Privacy and control: A mediation agreement is determined by the parties themselves. They are the ones who decide when and where to meet and what their custody agreement will include, not a judge who has the final say in litigation.
• Parent-child relationships: Mediation allows for an amicable divorce resolution. There is less contention in the divorce, and ultimately this is in the best interests of the children involved.