Many family law disputes don’t go to court to get resolved. Mediation lets divorcing spouses and separating parents work out property division, support, and custody arrangements with the help of a neutral third party, usually at a fraction of the cost of litigation. It also keeps private matters private, which matters to a lot of people. A La Jolla family law lawyer may serve as the neutral mediator, or separately represent and advise one party through the mediation process, but cannot do both in the same matter. Call our team today to schedule your confidential case evaluation.
Why Choose Contreras Law Firm for Mediation
Mediation only works when the people guiding it know the law and how to keep negotiations from falling apart. That combination is what La Jolla clients find at Contreras Law Firm. We provide:
- Over two decades of family law experience on both the litigation and settlement sides
- A reputation strong enough that judges have referred clients to the firm
- Transparent pricing from the start, which fits a process built on avoiding unnecessary costs
If you want your dispute settled rather than dragged out, contact Contreras Law Firm to schedule a consultation.
Why Legal Guidance Matters During Mediation
Once an agreement is finalized and incorporated into a court order or judgment, changing it may be difficult and can require further legal proceedings. Legal guidance is how you avoid needing that second chance. A lawyer does the following:
- Explaining what a judge would likely order in your case, which gives you a baseline for judging whether a proposal is reasonable
- Reviewing tax consequences, support miscalculations, and property issues that may not be obvious to you
- Identifying what’s missing from a proposed agreement
Most people mediate a divorce once in their life, while the attorney advising them has seen hundreds of agreements succeed or fail. That experience is often invaluable.
What Happens During Mediation?
Mediation is a structured negotiation, not a trial. A neutral mediator sits down with both sides, helps them communicate, and keeps the discussion focused on solving problems. The process typically moves through a few stages. The parties exchange information, including financial disclosures. They identify which issues are actually in dispute, and then work through each disputed issue. Sometimes it takes one session, other times it takes multiple sessions. If an agreement is reached, it can be formalized and submitted to the court when appropriate, at which point it carries the same weight as any other court order.
What Family Law Issues Can Be Mediated?
Most of the disputes that come up in a divorce or separation can be resolved through mediation rather than a courtroom. Common examples include:
- Property division, including the family home, retirement accounts, and shared debts
- Spousal support, both the amount and how long it lasts
- Child custody and parenting plans
- Child support
- The overall terms of a divorce
- Post-divorce modifications, such as changes to support or a parenting schedule after circumstances change
If an issue can be negotiated, it can generally be mediated. Even couples who disagree on one or two points often resolve everything else during mediation. The other issues can then go in front of a judge.
Schedule a Consultation With a La Jolla Mediation Lawyer
People tend to follow agreements they played a part in writing, which is part of why mediated settlements often last. The process isn’t always simple, but it can be a much better choice than moving forward with litigation. Call our office at (619) 238-0616 to speak with a La Jolla mediation lawyer about your situation.