SAN DIEGO DIVORCE MEDIATION LAWYER: OUR BOARD-CERTIFIED FAMILY LAW ATTORNEYS PROVIDE EXPERT HELP
What is San Diego Divorce Mediation?
What is San Diego Divorce Mediation?
Mediation is either a formal or informal process by which the parties try to resolve their family law disputes on their own. The parties can mediate with or without lawyers. The parties can hire a San Diego family law attorney who is experienced in mediation or a retired judge who does San Diego court mediation.
To be meaningful, each party needs to have a good understanding of all the issues and facts before mediation. In anything other than the simplest cases, a lot of preparation is required before mediation. Often a formal brief is submitted to the mediator in advance so they can be prepared on all issues.
Mandatory Settlement Conference Overview
In San Diego County Family Court if the parties have not settled and a trial date is requested, the Court will usually schedule a Mandatory Settlement Conference before a formal trial. Like mediation, a brief would be prepared outlining the client’s position on all disputed issues and the evidence to support those positions.
San Diego is unique in that many experienced San Diego family law attorneys volunteer their time to act as settlement judges for the Mandatory Settlement Conferences. Several of the attorneys in our firm do this on a regular basis. Both counsel need to be well prepared at the Mandatory Settlement Conference. If the case does not settle, counsel will appear immediately after to have a trial date set by the Court.
Mandatory Settlement Conference Overview
In San Diego County Family Court if the parties have not settled and a trial date is requested, the Court will usually schedule a Mandatory Settlement Conference before a formal trial. Like mediation, a brief would be prepared outlining the client’s position on all disputed issues and the evidence to support those positions.
San Diego is unique in that many experienced San Diego family law attorneys volunteer their time to act as settlement judges for these conferences. Several of the attorneys in our firm do this on a regular basis. Both counsel need to be well prepared at the Mandatory Settlement Conference. If the case does not settle, counsel will appear immediately after to have a trial date set by the Court.
Experienced Guidance for the Mediation Process
At the Law Offices of Beatrice L. Snider, APC we encourage the mediation process. Normally, we feel we can better protect the client’s interests if each side is represented by counsel at the time of mediation. As an alternative, we are willing to consult with the client to assist in preparation for mediation and give advice before agreements are reached.
We recommend a number of retired judicial offices to our clients to act as mediator. It has been our experience that a retired family law judge has the knowledge and the demeanor to handle even the most contentious and/or difficult mediations. In essence, a recommendation from a retired family law judge is likely to have more impact on the parties and counsel.
If an agreement is reached, our goal is to have a signed agreement generated prior to the conclusion of mediation. Once an agreement is signed by all parties and counsel (even if handwritten), it is enforceable. The Court can enter a judgment incorporating the terms of the agreement, upon motion of either party.
Schedule a Consultation With Board-Certified Family Law Attorneys
At the Law Offices of Beatrice L. Snider, APC we take pride in using mediation in an effort to avoid litigation and effectuate a settlement at the earliest reasonable. opportunity. In addition to representing clients in the mediation process, our firm offers attorneys to act as neutral mediators.