How Does Divorce Mediation Work in California?

Getting a divorce is a hard decision to make, but now you must make further decisions on equitable division of property, spousal payments, and child custody. It’s enough to make your head explode. You don’t want to rush into an agreement with your spouse, especially if the two of you are having trouble seeing eye to eye.

Most people don’t want to go to court if they can avoid it, so you’re probably wondering how divorce mediation works in California.

The Nuts and Bolts of Divorce Mediation

Mediation between divorcing spouses in California is a simple enough concept to understand. You and your spouse will agree to hire a mediator—a specially trained individual who acts as a sort of impartial peacekeeper between the two of you.

The mediator is trained to help you talk through the issues you and your spouse can’t agree on. Ultimately, the mediator is there to help both parties.

How Can a Lawyer Help?

Mediation is a great way to resolve divorce disputes outside of the courtroom, but you will likely still want a family lawyer with you to protect your interests. The mediator must look at the situation from an impartial viewpoint. Your lawyer won’t do that because he or she is 100 percent on your side:

• Your lawyer can offer legal advice on how to get more of what you want.
• You may think something is fair, but your attorney can point out when something isn’t fair, keeping you from being taken advantage of.
• Your lawyer is a sounding board who is on your side. You’ll likely feel more confident with your decisions when you know you’ve discussed them with a family attorney.

Speak with a Rancho Cucamonga Divorce Lawyer

Understanding how divorce mediation works in California can put your mind at ease, but you may still require assistance from an experienced family lawyer. Your attorney can ensure that what matters to you isn’t ignored during mediation and advise you on what to bring to the table in order to get what you want in your divorce.

To contact the Law Office of Laurence J. Brock, simply call 909-466-7661 or submit the form below.