Virtual Mediation and Dispute Resolution
You have to realize that a family law matter litigated in court has the potential of being the most expensive service you will buy in your whole life. Choosing the best law firm with experienced professionals who can guide you through mediation and dispute resolution will make an arduous process more simplified, leaving you satisfied with the outcome.
Through the process of mediation, you have the opportunity to negotiate your own settlement rather than having a decision imposed on you by a judge. Mediation is a voluntary process that offers a private venue to achieve successful outcomes despite extremely challenging circumstances. It allows parties to handle their family law matter in a discrete manner that still gets the results each party seeks.
Conversations and settlement discussion in mediation cannot be used as evidence in court. The confidential nature of mediation allows parties to use their best efforts to reach agreements, without the fear that something said in mediation will be used against them in the event mediation fails and the matter must be resolved by the court.
Mediation, whether in person or virtual, takes the uncomfortable elements out of the mediation process – traveling to an unfamiliar office, being in the same room as your former partner, clearing your schedule for the day or sometimes several days. Our qualified team members will create a mediation schedule that works for you and can be done from the comfort of your home. The thought of engaging in mediation for several days (consecutive or spread out) may be a daunting thought. However, if your case is in disputed litigation in Court, you will certainly have to give up substantially more time than mediation.
Don’t leave the decision up to a judge and spend your valuable time in court. Take control by leveraging our legal experts.
Can My Legal Case Be Settled Through Virtual Mediation?
In California, state law requires parents to participate in mandatory mediation before scheduling any hearing dealing with child custody, except in an emergency hearing situation.
The determining factor in if you can settle your case through virtual mediation is your willingness to discuss and resolve marital issues in a respectful manner, if you’re ready to be open and honest about your emotions, behavior, finances, and assets, and if you’re able to make compromises when necessary.
Preparation, craft and determination!
Secure your best interests through virtual mediation!
Our Proven Virtual Mediation Process
Step One: Free Initial Consultation
We understand that you want more control over the outcome of your divorce and/or child custody agreements. Our process starts with a free one-hour initial consultation with attorneys who will listen to your concerns and answer your questions about the virtual mediation and dispute resolution process. We don’t feel the need to charge our potential clients for learning how our firm can best serve them and meet their needs.
Step Two: Establish Goals and Method
From the very beginning, you meet with attorney Kimberly Lewellen, Certified Family Law Specialist. Our family law experts will work directly with you to understand your marital issues, child custody concerns, finances, and assets when you choose us. We want to know what your priorities are.
Step Three: Prepare A Legal Strategy
Once we understand all the issues surrounding your case, we prepare a legal strategy to achieve your goals during the mediation process. We’ll walk you through what to expect during virtual mediation and dispute resolution, such as technical requirements and how the facilitated mediation conversation may unfold in the best- and worst-case.
Step Four: Prepare and exchange financial disclosures.
Step Five: Negotiate an agreement.
Step Six: Each party takes time to carefully review the terms of the agreement and present additional questions, concerns, or adjustments.
Step Seven: Once the parties agree to final terms, the mediator prepares a formal marital settlement agreement for final review and execution of the parties.
Step Eight: the mediator prepares the final judgment papers for each party’s review and execution.
Step Nine: the judgment papers are filed with the Court.
Additional Family Law Services We Provide
- Divorce
- Child custody
- Domestic violence restraining orders
- Division of property
- International or out-of-state removal of minor children
- Spousal support
Frequently Asked Questions About Virtual Mediation
What are the advantages of Virtual Mediation?
Commuting to an unfamiliar office, bouncing back and forth between conference rooms, and seeing your ex in the hallway can be physically and emotionally exhausting.
While it’s still an arduous process during divorce and child custody proceedings, virtual mediation can mitigate the more daunting aspects.
A virtual mediation is also more productive. Mediators can create breakout rooms to allow attorneys to confer with clients or colleagues, enabling you to reach a satisfying agreement faster.
Mediation is regarded as the most cost-effective way to reach a satisfying dissolution of your marriage, with the added benefit of getting more say in the outcome rather than giving that power to a judge.
How does Virtual Mediation Work?
Mediation is voluntary, and both parties are not required to come to an agreement. You reserve the right to opt-out of mediation at any time. The goal is to reach a written mutual agreement that will be legally binding once both parties sign.
Essentially, the mediator facilitates a conversation between you and your ex to resolve your disagreements about custody, finances, and assets. The process will get to the core issues of the relationship, and any successful resolution is dependent on the concessions you and your former partner are willing to make. Mediators do not determine who is right or wrong. The participating parties determine the outcome of their case.
The benefit of traditional and virtual mediation is that it’s a confidential process, unlike litigation, and the process is privileged, meaning any statements cannot be used against you later in court.