Divorce Approaches That Keep You Out of Court
For couples who are still able to communicate with each other, Mediation offers a viable alternative to the confrontational experience of Litigation. In addition to the time and expense involved in going to court, Litigation gives a judge the power to make decisions for you. With Mediation, you and your spouse/partner make these decisions regarding your particular needs.
As a trained Mediator, Ms. Stubbs holds a neutral position, taking into consideration both parties’ perspectives on issues, such as marital property division, child custody and support. She will explain California law and offer suggestions on how to come to decisions that will meet both of your needs. If child custody is an issue, Ms. Stubbs will explore the options, always making the welfare of the children the top priority.
The Mediation process typically takes a few to several sessions. Once mutually satisfying agreements are reached, the Stubbs Family Law and Mediation Office will complete all court documents necessary to make them legally binding.
Mediation expedites consensus and agreement. When differences are resolved amicably, it increases the possibility of maintaining good relations after the divorce, which is particularly important when children are involved. For challenging issues, such as domestic violence, child abuse, mental illness or substance abuse, Mediation is typically not an appropriate choice.
Collaborative Practice
Like Mediation, the Collaborative Approach is non-confrontational. Rather than the process being facilitated by a neutral mediator, each party brings a partnering attorney to the face-to-face meetings. Other professionals, including financial consultants, mental health professionals, and child specialists may also be included in the group meetings.
Attorneys and other professionals trained in Collaborative Law Practice create a safe environment for the divorcing spouses to come together to discuss and resolve issues in a collaborative atmosphere.
The Collaborative Law Practice approach is based on three principles:
- A pledge not to go to court
- An honest exchange of information by both spouses
- A solution that takes into account the highest priorities of both spouses/partners and their children
You and your spouse/partner, rather than a judge, are in control of the decisions. All parties sign a written pledge to engage in a respectful process. The Collaborative Approach is designed to protect the interests of children and calmly reach an agreeable settlement. The focus is as much on creating workable solutions for a new future as on resolving current disagreements.
For a skilled Mediator and Collaborative Partner in reaching workable agreements, call 310-278-9885 contact us online.
