Westlake Village Mediation Attorney

If you’re divorcing a spouse or separating from a partner in California, you may have to address such issues as property division, alimony, and more. There’s a good chance you won’t always agree on exactly how to address these issues.

If necessary, the court can make orders for you. However, before leaving it to the court to make decisions about who gets the kids or who deserves alimony, it’s sometimes prudent to give mediation an honest try. At the Law Offices of Stephanie L. Mahdavi, a Westlake Village mediation attorney can help you navigate this process.

What is Mediation in California?

When two parties are involved in a legal dispute and struggle to come to a mutually acceptable resolution on their own, a neutral third party may need to facilitate productive discussions. This third party is a mediator.

Family law mediation cases specifically tend to involve two parties addressing the types of issues that may be cause for argument during a divorce or legal separation. Examples include child custody, child support, and related topics.

A mediator can facilitate communication and negotiation between two spouses getting a divorce and help them to identify common ground and areas of agreement. Mediation is voluntary, confidential, and non-binding. Additionally, the parties involved in mediation retain control over its outcome. This isn’t the case when a California family law court gets involved.

What Are the Benefits of Mediation?

Mediation offers several advantages over going to court when you and your spouse can’t agree on various issues that may come up in a divorce. They include:

• Cost-effectiveness: Mediation may be less expensive than going to court. Thus, entering into mediation is one way you can potentially reduce the cost of getting a divorce in California.
• Efficiency: Although there are exceptions, sometimes, the mediation process isn’t as time-consuming as going to court to resolve disputes. This can minimize the stress involved in getting a divorce.
• Confidentiality: The process of mediation is confidential by nature. When you enter into mediation, you can enjoy a degree of secrecy that isn’t necessarily available if you go to court.
• Customization: Mediation allows you and your spouse or partner to develop a solution that is tailored to your unique needs and circumstances, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all legal remedy.

What is the Role of a Westlake Village Mediation Lawyer?

Again, the role of a Westlake Village family law mediator involves helping you and your spouse or partner resolve certain disagreements that you might need to address before you can finalize a divorce or separation. They serve this purpose by:

• Helping to identify your goals and interests, gather relevant information, and explore options for resolving your disputes
• Offering general information about the law and the legal process
• Drafting a written agreement that reflects the terms you and your spouse or partner have agreed upon through mediation
• Ensuring the final agreement is fair and reasonable for all parties involved

Yes, divorcing a spouse or legally separating from a partner can be a complex experience. Disputes are to be expected. However, your divorce or separation doesn’t necessarily need to be as painful as you might assume. With the assistance of a qualified Westlake Village mediation attorney, you can resolve your disputes in a non-litigious manner. For more information about how we at the Law Offices of Stephanie L. Mahdavi can assist, contact us online or call us at 805-379-4550.