4 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Family Mediation Attorney
Posted in Divorce Mediation on December 15, 2020
If you and your spouse have decided that family mediation is the best way to resolve your divorce case or legal separation, it is time to choose your mediator. Selecting the right attorney will take careful consideration, as who you hire can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Not all family mediation attorneys are created equal. Start narrowing down your options by asking these four key questions during initial consultations with attorneys in Solana Beach.
How Can a Family Law Mediator Help My Case?
First, ask how the lawyer will be able to help your particular case. The family attorney will give you specific ways in which he or she plans on helping you with mediation after listening to your story. Asking this question upfront can help you learn what to expect from your future relationship with your mediation program, as well as to decide whether the mediation attorney is worth hiring based on the services available. Your lawyer should be able to help with the legal mediation work in several basic ways.
- Help you understand key laws and statutes related to your specific divorce
- Prepare you (and your spouse if providing dual representation) for what to expect during the mediation process
- Facilitate communication and conversations between you and your spouse during mediation
- Level the playing field between you and your spouse, if he or she has hired an attorney
- Keep things fair in your divorce or separation agreement
- Set up the mediation time, date and location on your behalf
The divorce mediation lawyer you speak to may not think you need an attorney based on the information you give him or her about your case. In this situation, you can either get a second opinion from another mediation attorney or handle the case yourself. Otherwise, the lawyer should describe how he or she can help with your specific case.
How Much Do You Charge?
Next, discuss price. You need to hire an attorney that charges a price you feel comfortable paying for mediation representation, and that offers a payment option that works for you. A good family mediation attorney will give you a price estimate upfront, with no tricks or hidden fees. Although this price may change slightly at the end of your case based on the actual hours dedicated to the case or the work it involved, the original estimate should be essentially accurate. A good divorce mediation law firm should make services easy and affordable.
Is Mediation a Better Option Than Going to Trial?
The divorce mediator you choose should give you educated and unbiased information about divorce, dispute resolution and mediation in general, as well as if it is the right choice for you and your spouse. Your divorce mediator will assess the basic facts involved in the divorcing couple’s case, such as the assets involved and whether you have children, to determine if mediation is right for you. Mediation has many benefits that can make it a more desirable choice than going to trial.
- Shorter legal process
- Less money spent in legal fees
- Control over matters such as child custody and property division
- Certainty in the outcome of your case
- Less stress overall during your divorce or separation
The right family mediation attorney will take the time to list all of the pros and cons of mediation and weigh the best interests involved based on the specific facts of your case. This will help you make an educated decision on which legal route to take, as well as which attorney to hire for mediation sessions.
Are You a Certified Family Law Specialist?
Finally, ask if the family mediation attorney is a certified family law specialist. Certified family law specialists have obtained certifications from the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization after taking courses and passing an exam. These attorneys will act as neutral third party and have special knowledge, experience and resources to help you and your family members with family law mediation. If you wish to set up a meeting with a family mediation attorney in Solana Beach who is a certified family law specialist, contact us through our free online contact form or via phone at (858) 793-7700 today.