When most people hear mediation, they think “settlement.” But at Contreras Law Firm, we see it differently. Mediation isn’t just about compromise, it’s about strategy. It’s about choosing the right mediator, at the right time, with the right approach to move your case forward.
Too often, people walk into mediation only to find a “messenger” shuttling offers back and forth, accomplishing little except wasted time and money. That’s not how we do it. At Contreras Law Firm, we work with a select group of highly respected retired judges, professionals we know, who know us, and who bring tremendous insight from their years on the bench. Because every judge, every mediator, and every person has a slightly different thought process, we don’t just send you to anyone. We help you choose the right mediator for your case and advise you strategically. The right mediator can make all the difference in reaching a resolution that works.
Here’s the truth: your divorce can be done as quickly as you want. Normally, divorces can take years. With mediation, the timeline is really up to you. Want it done in 30 days? It can be done in 30 days. Sixty days? Done. The speed depends on you, and whether the other side is willing to reach an agreement.
And here’s another truth: the longer your case drags out, the only people who make money are the attorneys. More filings, more hearings, and more conflict mean all sides are billing. Mediation is an opportunity to save money and keep it where it belongs: in your pocket, with your children, and with your future, not with your attorneys.
Just as important: having an attorney with you at mediation matters. Mediation still requires negotiation and skill. The agreement you walk away with is the foundation of your future. Every term has to be accounted for, every detail written correctly. That’s where we come in. We make sure your settlement is not just fast, but solid.
We love mediation. We do it every month with our clients. But we don’t go blindly. We time it, we plan it, and we use it as a powerful tool, whether your case is straightforward or highly litigious. Sometimes the best move is to mediate early; sometimes it’s about building leverage before the table is set. Other times, mediation simply isn’t the right choice, and if that’s the case, you can trust us to tell you. And when mediation won’t work, we are always ready to fight for you.
Contreras Law Firm understands that going through a divorce is already emotionally and financially difficult. The thought of having a Judge make orders regarding your finances, home, assets, and children can compound the situation. However, not every divorce needs to be finalized by the traditional public court system and hiring a San Diego family law mediation attorney does not mean that your case needs to become an outright battle.
There are several Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) options including mediation that can keep your case in your control. Mediation is a process where parties meet with a neutral third person called a mediator either in person or virtually to help resolve either some or all of the issues in the case. Although mediation can be completed with or without a San Diego family law attorney representing each of the parties, we highly recommend not going to mediation without counsel by your side. This is because during a mediation session, the mediator does not represent either of the parties. This means that they are not looking out for the other party’s best interest, but also they are not looking out for yours. Having a San Diego mediation attorney present during mediation can ensure you understand your rights under the law and the likely outcome if your case were to go to court so that you can make a well-informed decision when negotiating with the other party.
Mediation can occur at anytime in the divorce process, whether you have just filed your Petition or have been unable to resolve issues for several years. You can even go to mediation for specific issues after your divorce is finalized such as a modification of child support, spousal support, child custody or child visitation. If you and the other party are able to reach an agreement on either all or some of the pending issues, an agreement under the Code of Civil Procedure section 664.6 will be drafted that day and signed by all those who participated. Signing this agreement ensures that both parties are bound by the terms reached in mediation.
Some of the advantages to bringing your case to mediation include:
- You can resolve your case faster than through the public court system;
- It is less costly both financially and emotionally;
- The information exchanged is confidential;
- You have more control of the results because you will be the decision maker rather than a Judge in court where there is never a guarantee of what that outcome will be;
- Parties are more likely to comply with the terms they enter into because they were agreed to rather ordered;
- If preserving the relationship with the other party is something you want, there is a greater chance of achieving it through mediation than through high-stress court proceedings.
Although not every case benefits from ADR, Contreras Law Firm can inform you whether mediation would be an asset in your case whether representing you or acting as the third-party neutral mediator. If you want more information regarding mediation, contact our office to speak with one of our San Diego family law attorneys. We offer free initial consultations to all new clients. You can contact us by calling 619-238-0616 or completing our online intake form to get started.