Divorce Mediation: A Lower Cost Alternative that May Work for You

Bohm Wildish Los Angeles Family Law

Divorce can take an incredible emotional toll on a couple, but the financial costs can be just as burdensome. As of 2005, the average divorce litigated in court cost $15,000 and took 18 months to resolve. Divorce is one of the most stressful events one can experience in life, and when you are paying legal bills for months or years after, it becomes an event that seems unending. Divorce mediation may be a solution that will work for you. In these cases, a divorce is usually resolved within 3 months and costs about $3000. This, of course, depends on the individual couple, but a mediator may help you save money and emotional tax as well.

In addition to saving time and money, mediation allows greater control of the legal outcome of a divorce. It is completely confidential, and a skilled mediator can help both parties navigate complex emotion while ensuring the process is safe and dignified for everyone. Another benefit is that mediation has been proven to be easier on children involved in the relationship. Psychologically, it is easier for children to know that their parents are trying to work together to resolve the divorce as painlessly as possible rather than battling it out in court.

Family Law Areas of Practice: Divorce Mediation

In Los Angeles, California, the divorce mediation model is based around third-party family law experts, mediators and the couples themselves. The goal is to reach an agreement that is acceptable to both parties; the mediator is charged with helping the couple identify solutions that can lead to an equitable resolution. The focus must be on the needs and best interests of the entire family, rather than on winning or losing, and if this happens, then no court appearance is ever necessary.

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Couples in mediation attend a series of meetings in which both are present; these are held regularly until all issues are resolved. This works even in “complex” divorces with multiple issues, including division of property and child support. How long this takes is up to the individual couple. Mediation is also an excellent alternative for couples who do have a mutual, or “friendly,” divorce; if they do not need legal advice or have no need to settle custody or financial issues, they can use the service to process and file court documents.

A variety of divorce mediation myths persist. One of the most common is that men fare better than women or that one partner can intimidate the other. To prevent this, trained, family law mediators are required. California does not require mediators have licenses, but it does provide a list of mediators who meet certain criteria. You can find Divorce Mediation services here.  When selecting a mediator, always, always check credentials. When you do so, you are ensuring that the mediation process is fair and safe for both parties.

Another myth is that you cannot have representation if you are in mediation. This is not true. While mediation sessions are intended for the couple and the mediator, it is possible – and recommended – that you retain your own counsel in order to ensure that your rights are protected and that the process is fair for you. A mediated divorce is just as legal and binding as a litigated divorce, so you really want to be sure that your rights are protected.

Los Angeles Family Law Conclusion: Divorce mediation can make a stressful situation a little easier to bear. Divorce is never easy, especially when finances, property, child support, and custody are involved, but it can be made easier.

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