Exploring Different Paths to Family Law Resolutions
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is a general term for legal procedures that are designed to help the parties to a dispute resolve their problems without resorting to potentially expensive and stressful litigation.
In the divorce and family law context, the most common forms of ADR are mediation and collaborative law. These procedures are particularly relevant in family law because many people are concerned about the emotional consequences of taking their family disputes to court.
At Law Office of Melissa D. Cianci, in Roseville, we believe that mediation and collaborative law can be helpful in many divorce and family law cases, but we also believe our clients should enter into these procedures with a full understanding of their options. Contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced family law ADR attorneys.
Finalizing Divorces With the Help of Attorney Mediators
If you and your spouse are in general agreement about the terms of your divorce, one of our attorneys can act as a mediator to help you iron out any remaining details, including the exact legal procedures that will be used to divide your community property.
Mediation can be a cost-effective, amicable way to finalize a divorce without any need for litigation. We are experienced at mediating divorce settlements between spouses.
This procedure is different from the mandatory mediation that the court will require you to attend if you get involved in a contested child custody case. It is also important to note that if we begin mediating your divorce and then, for whatever reason, you or your spouse decides to take the case into litigation, we will not be able to represent either of you.
In addition to divorce mediation, we also offer mediation services in other family law matters under similar conditions.
Addressing the Growing Interest in Collaborative Law
Collaborative law is another procedure that is often used to resolve divorce and family law disputes in California. In a collaborative proceeding, each party is represented by his or her own lawyer in negotiations, but everyone involved signs an agreement to seek an out-of-court resolution in good faith, and if the case ends up in litigation, the attorneys must withdraw.
Contact us to discuss the benefits and possible pitfalls of mediation, collaborative law and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.
