Family Mediation
Prevent Child Custody or a Division of Assets from Hurting Your Family?
Family Mediation Can Benefit Families:
- Shorten divorce proceedings
- Compromise on how to divide finances and custody
- Avoid expensive attorney and litigation fees
- Minimize the negative impact of divorce on children’s mental and emotional well-being
- Find a fair and honest solution so your family can begin healing
The Difference Between Mediators and Attorneys
Family mediation is a natural and extremely effective alternative to expensive attorneys and legal fees. Mediated cases cut settlement time in half while saving clients an average of $12,000. Additionally, many litigated cases result in mandatory mediation, increasing your costs at a time when finances are uncertain.
A mediator is a neutral party that helps partners work out agreements on issues like child custody and distribution of assets. An experienced mediator can be of particular help when agreements are difficult to reach. Whereas an attorney’s goal is to win, a mediator’s goal is to help you keep the lines of communication open.
Unlike court settlements, which do not include open conversation, family mediation gives each party the opportunity to express their thoughts and work through the logistics and emotions associated with the situation. Since both parents are working together, mediation often takes less time to reach a satisfactory divorce or custody agreement.
By seeking marriage and family therapy mediation early you can save yourself – and your loved ones – time, money and stress.
You Can Find Closure Through Family Mediation
Azizeh focuses on establishing a process that addresses ex-partner’s unique situation and desires. When agreements are made collaboratively, rather than decided through the court system, both parties can walk away from the settlement feeling satisfied rather than bitter.
In confidential sessions, Azizeh provides neutral guidance as former partners improve communication issues and begin to work toward agreeable solutions. After identifying and address the distinct issues and concerns that are impacting the inability to reach compromise, she uses her extensive background in family therapy and couples counseling to help find new avenues for communication. By learning how to improve your communication, it is possible to build a healthier and happier relationship with an ex-spouse after the settlement. With an experienced mediator and willingness to compromise, you can find the satisfactory conclusion to your divorce settlement.
Some Frequently Asked Questions about Family Mediation
Do Mediators and Therapists Really Know About Divorce and Custody Laws?
By law mediators in California are required to take courses in Family Law, and in many cases couples are assigned to a mediator by the courts. Azizeh has been working with families for over 15 years and has an extensive understanding of legal rights and obligations of divorce.
The important thing to remember is that a divorce mediator is a neutral party who cannot give advice to either parent. Azizeh’s goal as a mediator is to help you and your former partner deal with the conflict and barriers that have prevented your finding a satisfactory conclusion.
Will I Get a More Fair Deal If I Go to Court?
It is common to feel that going to court will offer you a fair and impartial settlement in your divorce and custody arrangements. In reality, the outcome of litigated cases has far greater variability than with a mediator. Is your lawyer as good as your ex-spouse’s? Can you afford the same attorney for 18-months of litigation?
As a mediator, Azizeh operates as a neutral party to keep you and your ex-partner focused on finding the best solution for you and your children. These negotiations can be difficult and working with an experienced mediator and therapist offers you a safe environment to work through your concerns, which can provide long-term benefits to your family as a system in the long-term.
Family Mediation Can Take a Lot of Time and It Isn’t Cheap. Is It Worth It?
While it is true that family mediation requires an investment of time and money, it is worth comparing it to your other options. Litigated divorce cases take an average of 18-months, while mediated cases average only 9-months. In Azizeh’s experience, using a direct approach, you can accomplish similar results in as little as four sessions. Additionally, attorney and litigation fees can range as high as $15,000 or more, while the average mediated divorce or custody case costs only $3,000.
Hiring a divorce attorney will help you finalize your divorce settlement, but court proceedings often create feelings of spite. Not to mention you will be required to abide by the decision of a judge who does not know you or your family. Mediation allows you to work collaboratively toward the best solution for you and your children in a safe, confidential environment with the guidance and support of an experienced family and couples counseling therapist.
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