Alternative Dispute Resolution in Southern California Divorce
Making Divorce Less Stressful
Decisions made during the divorce process have a profound impact long after the decree is final. This is especially true when children are involved. Anything that can be done to avoid bitter litigation and post-divorce disputes will make the process easier on everyone. Mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution are designed to save time, reduce the costs and alleviate stress, while preserving legal rights.
At the law firm of Trabolsi & Levy, our lawyers have more than 50 years of combined experience in family law, including alternatives to litigation. Attorney Ilene Evans Trabolsi and attorney Avi Levy, who are certified family law specialists, both serve as volunteer mediators for the family law courts of the Los Angeles Superior Court. With their leadership, our firm guides clients through the mediation process and helps represent the client's best interests and those of his or her children.
Benefits of Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
We can explore all of your options to resolve divorce or custody matters without resorting to litigation:
Mediation — A mediator is a neutral third party who helps facilitate an amicable agreement regarding children, property, financial support or any aspect of divorce. We handle voluntary mediations as well as court-ordered mediations.
Collaborative law — Collaborative divorce is a hybrid of mediation and negotiation. You have a lawyer at your side but both parties sign an agreement not to litigate. If talks break down, your collaborative lawyer cannot represent you in courtroom litigation. Collaborative law commonly involves psychologists, financial experts and other professionals to help cover all the bases and forge an agreement.
Arbitration — Another option is hiring a private arbitrator, such as a retired family court judge, to settle disputes. The process is quicker and less costly than going to court, but the decision is binding. Arbitration is not as formal as going to court, and it is not open to the public.
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) has many advantages over litigation:
- Fewer hostilities and grudges that spill over into future disputes
- Greater privacy because most details are not part of the public court record
- More control over solutions, rather than leaving decisions up to a judge
- Considerably lower cost
- Less adverse impact on children
- Faster resolutions than going to court
Due to the budget crisis in California, it is taking longer to appear before a family law judge to finalize a divorce settlement. For this reason, more and more people are choosing to finalize their divorces through mediation and ADR.
Los Angeles Mediation Attorneys
Mediation can sometimes be conducted without the help of attorneys, but it is helpful to have an experienced advocate who can advise on the long-term effects of any agreement. Our firm works closely with clients to identify objectives, give honest advice and provide supportive representation throughout the process.
Contact our law firm to discuss options for dispute resolution with our Santa Monica divorce mediation attorneys. Call Trabolsi & Levy at 310-584-7714 or toll free at 888-871-6245.
