What is Mediation?
Many people mistakenly assume that litigation is the only legal course of action available to them when they wish to resolve a serious dispute with one or more parties. In relation to this, the legal system in California provides for alternative dispute resolution through the process of mediation. Mediation is a way to resolve disputes outside the courtroom in a non-adversarial setting for the mutual benefit of all parties to the dispute.
At Lerner Conflict Resolution Center, our knowledgeable mediation specialists are ready to educate you and guide you about what is mediation, how it works, and what are its inherent advantages over litigation.
Remove vs In-Office Mediation
Mediation offers great scheduling flexibility for our clients. We can meet with you in person anywhere in Southern California, including Los Angeles and all parts of California. We also offer remote sessions through Zoom, and we’re happy to work with your schedule, offering flexible hours during the day. Our goal is to make the process as easy as possible for you, accommodating your work schedule and ensuring that you can have your mediation session when it suits you.
How Much does a Divorce Cost?​
One of the most common questions we get is how much this mediation costs compared to traditional litigation? And it’s an interesting question. Our goal here is to be flexible with our clients and make sure that whatever price they’re paying is reasonable and within their limit. We’re very flexible in offering both hourly rates and package deals for different sessions. For example, if your schedule is limited due to one or two hours a week to mediate, we might operate on an hourly fee basis. However, if you wanted to mediate your case in one day or in a half day session, we may charge a package deal for that longer session. Inclusive in that cost is the cost for drafting documents, helping you file and serve court papers, and the mediation itself.
First Step in Mediation​
The initial consultation is the first step in the mediation process and can be conducted either in person or remotely. We offer the option of meeting together or individually with each party. The purpose of the consultation is to identify the issues involved in the case, understand the goals of each party for the mediation, and establish any specific details for how we will operate during the mediation process. Our goal is to provide flexibility to ensure that the consultation is tailored to your specific needs.
Divorce Roadmap
After the initial consultation, the mediator will collaborate with the parties to develop a roadmap that includes timeframes for the mediation process, the scheduling of the first session, and the necessary information required from each party to commence the mediation process. Parties will be assigned homework in the form of forms that they must fill out and bring to the mediation session. They are also encouraged to draft a brief outlining their goals and issues in the case. This consultation provides the mediator with a better understanding of the specific issues in your case and how best to work with you to achieve a resolution.
Our Seasoned Mediators are Here to Help
Lerner Conflict Resolution Center has been helping Californians find quick and mutually beneficial solutions to their disputes in an affordable, low-stress environment. We have the expertise and resources to provide mediation services across various branches of law including family law and divorce, probate and estate, civil small claims, elder care, and community disputes.
