Preeminent Lawyers For Orange County Divorce Mediations
If you are planning and are interested in mediation, Minyard Morris is the law firm to represent you. The 20 divorce attorneys on our team have experience representing clients in a spectrum of family law mediation sessions. Our collaborative approach, outstanding client service and record of successful resolutions make us one of Orange County’s most desired divorce firms. You can place your trust in us with the knowledge that we handle your case with the utmost confidentiality and transparency.
Are You and Your Spouse Candidates for Mediation of Your Orange County divorce?
In order for mediation of an Orange County divorce to be successful, the parties must both be good “candidates” for the mediation process. Being a good “candidate” generally means that both parties:
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- Are willing to allow the other person to receive 51% of the assets;
- Do not have a psychological need to win;
- Trust each other. Divorce mediation is not a process designed to verify facts, investigate financial issues and question suspect expenditures. If there is a lack of trust, divorce mediation is not the best model.
- Do not attempt to bully the other. If one party is essentially a bully, mediation will not be “successful,” unless the other party simply gives in to the bully. In that case, the divorce mediation is “successful” because it resolved the issues, not because a fair settlement was agreed to.
- Are both ready to end the relationship. If both people are not ready to move on with their lives, divorce mediation will be a waste of time and money. A divorce mediator does not have the power to force a settlement. To reach an agreement, both people must have a desire to reach a fair resolution on all issues.
- Are both ready to resolve the issues. If either party is angry with the other or has a need to delay the resolution, divorce mediation will most likely not be successful. Anger on the part of a spouse makes mediation essentially a nonstarter.
- Have not been victims of domestic violence or abuse in the relationship
- Have essentially equal personal power in the relationship. Divorce mediation involves negotiation. Generally, the parties do not have lawyers physically present in the divorce mediation sessions and thus the party with more power and better negotiating skills prevails.
- Have essentially equal access to and understanding of the finances. Except in the area of child custody, a divorce is a financial transaction. The party with less knowledge and less experience with financial issues is at a severe disadvantage in divorce mediation. Failing to understand the financial aspects of a divorce may result in the receipt of less child support and less spousal support than is appropriate and may result in an unequal property settlement.
- Define “fair” in a similar way. Many people proclaim a desire to want a “fair” deal, but differ in how they define the concept of “fair.” In fact, the definition can be, and often is, extraordinarily different in the context of a divorce.
Speak With One Of Our Orange County Mediation Lawyers
Divorce mediation can be an appealing option – learn whether it is right for you. If it is, we are prepared to negotiate for you tenaciously. Schedule an initial consultation in which you can discuss matters with one of our attorneys. To begin, call our Newport Beach office at 949-724-1111 or send us an email.