Dispute Resolution
All relationship conflicts that enter the legal system leave the same way – with a signed order from a Judge. But there are many paths to that final order. Here are some of the options:
Court Litigation
Everything is resolved in the courthouse by a government judge. Each party retains an attorney to help present his or her case. The Judge considers evidence from both sides and makes a decision.
Court litigation is generally best for those who cannot resolve their disputes without a third party and who do not want to pay for a private judge. You get to present your side of the story, and you don’t have to settle issues that are important to you. But, court litigation can be slow and impersonal. There are so many people trying to access the Family Court, getting real time in front of a Judge can be a challenge. For Core Family Law’s nationally recognized trial advocates, the courtroom is a favorite place to be.
Private Judging
Private Judging is very much like courtroom litigation, but the judge is hired and paid by the parties. A private judge can be hired to resolve your entire case or to simply make a recommendation to the government judge.
Private judges provide efficiency and personal attention. You don’t have to wait in the public line to talk to the Judge, and the Judge will have the time to look at the specific facts and evidence of your case. But the Parties need to pay the private judges in addition to their attorneys.
For high asset or high conflict cases that could take two years or more to resolve, private judging can save time and money. Core Family Law can help you select a private judge and craft a presentation that will take advantage of this intimate setting.
Mediation and Settlement
Mediation and settlement require compromise. Core Family Law can act as your mediator (a third-party neutral that listens to both sides and helps parties reach agreements without involving a Judge) or Core Family Law can represent you at a mediation/settlement conference (a negotiation meeting between the parties and their attorneys).
Mediation and settlement are the most cost-effective and time efficient ways to resolve cases. Core Family Law specializes in finding creative solutions that don’t disregard what is most important to each side.
Watch this quick video to understand why mediation might be smarter than you think: 🎬 My clients used to resist mediation. Now they don’t. Here is why.
Timing and Cost
The most common questions asked about any legal battle are (1) how long will this take? and (2) how much will it cost? The answer to both questions is – It depends.
For California Divorces, the case will last a minimum of 6 months. The California Legislature created a mandatory 6 month waiting period. For those who have heard the rumor about the ‘One-day Divorce’, we’re sorry to say it’s a myth. Even if you get a full agreement done in one day, you still have to wait 6 months from the start of the case to be divorced.
Regardless of the type of case, the length and cost will depend on the people involved. If two sides work together and reach agreements, the case is quick and comparatively inexpensive. If the two sides cannot agree, it is going to take time and hurt everyone’s wallet. Core Family Law’s rule of thumb for hostile cases is 10 to 24 months with a minimum starting retainer of $7500.00 (subject to attorney consultation quote), but there are circumstances where the Court will reduce costs or require one side to pay the other’s costs. We can provide estimates and suggestions for managing costs when we learn about your case at an in-person consultation.
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Schedule an in-person consultation and see our individualized approach first hand. Meet with us, discuss your situation, your needs, and your priorities.
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