How to Choose the Right Divorce Mediator in Orange County
Are you an Orange County, California resident currently considering using
a mediator to resolve your divorce disputes? A highly trained Newport
Beach divorce mediator can help you save time, money, and quickly help
you and the other party reach an agreement on a pending divorce, or family
law related disputes you may have. Read on to learn more about how to
choose the right divorce mediator in Orange County, California.
What You Should Consider Before Hiring a Mediator
Mediation allows divorcing couples to utilize a third neutral party to
help negotiate the terms of their divorce, such as child support, custody
and visitation, spousal support, and the division of community assets
and debts.
Mediators do not provide legal advice to clients and refrain from making
any decisions for the parties. Mediators do, however, give both parties
identical legal information so that their decisions will be based upon
knowledge of the law. Here are a few key things you should consider when
hiring a mediator in Orange County:
-
Does the mediator have the appropriate amount of training, knowledge, and
experience to handle your matter?
Do not hire an inexperienced mediator. You will be throwing your money
and time away if you do. Before you hire a mediator, find out if he/she
has the training, knowledge, and experience to help you achieve a resolution
regarding any pending disputes prohibiting the finalization of your divorce.
Ask the mediator what type of certifications he/she holds, where his/her
education was obtained, and the experience he/she has in mediating similar
issues such as yours (while maintaining confidentiality).
-
Is the mediator ethical?
Ask the mediator what ethical standards of conduct he/she holds herself/himself
to. Hire a mediator that will maintain confidentiality regarding your
matter and remain
neutral throughout the process. Remember, the mediator’s main objective
should be to serve as a neutral observer between two parties who are in
need of resolving a conflict. The mediator should ensure that all rights
and interests of both spouses are protected throughout the mediation process
and never side with one party’s position.
-
What is the mediator’s style?
The techniques mediators use to help parties reach an agreement vary greatly.
Ask your mediator how they facilitate sessions, what he/she does when
a hostile situation occurs, or when communication breaks down between
the parties. Also, ask the mediator if he/ she can explain a time in which
he/she had to end a session do to the parties being uncooperative. This
will provide you with insight as to how the mediator weighs situations
and whether he/she knows when to call it quits (everyone has a breaking point).
The tips above are just a few things for you to consider when hiring a
mediator in the Fullerton, Santa Ana, Irvine, Newport Beach and San Clemente,
California areas. Most importantly, make sure you take your time when
searching for a mediator. Rushing to find a mediator will often result
in disaster and leave you disappointed with the outcome.
If you would like to hire a mediator, contact Attorney Judy Williams for
a consultation. She has extensive experience in handling disputes related
to child support, visitation and custody, spousal support, and the division
of community assets and debts. Contact
Newport Beach CA Divorce Mediation Attorney Judy Williams today to schedule an appointment.