Options for Divorce

Southern California Divorce Attorney

If you are contemplating filing for divorce, you should be aware of your options first. At the Law Offices of Linda S. Gross, we understand that the court system can result in lengthy, time-consuming and expensive divorces. Therefore, we educate clients on the many other ways to dissolve a marriage. To put more than 25 years of legal experience on your side, please contact our family mediation lawyer today.

Divorce Process Options

Collaborative process : Collaborative family law is a process where both parties have attorneys. The parties and attorneys commit to resolving the issues in the family law case without going to court. They commit to full disclosure, negotiation, and mutually beneficial solutions to the issues of custody, support and property. Experts in child development and finances assist in a neutral way. In the event one party becomes disillusioned and decides to seek court intervention, both attorneys and all associated experts resign and the parties must start the process all over again with new lawyers and experts. This creates an incentive for the parties to stay committed to the collaborative process, even when frustrations develop or disagreements seem insolvable.

The collaborative process affords parties more control over the outcome of their case, privacy regarding their process and resolution, and the opportunity for more creative solutions than going to court would achieve. Both parties benefit from a team of professionals who guide them to a cooperative resolution. As a certified Family Law Specialist and over 25 years of legal experience, Linda S. Gross stands ready to guide you through the collaboration process with a focus on attentive service.

Divorce Mediation : Mediation is a process where the parties work with a neutral third party—someone trained in techniques of dispute resolution—to resolve the issues in their family law matter. Each party may retain an attorney to review the negotiated agreement and give them legal advice about the fairness of the agreement, in hopes of avoiding alternatives such as litigation and court-rendered decisions. Linda S. Gross assists clients engaged in the mediation process. If requested, she can attend the mediation sessions with a client and participate in the mediation. She can help the client prepare legal forms such as declarations of disclosure. She can strategize with the client prior to their participation in a mediation session, so the client can proffer workable solutions.

Litigation is often costly, time-consuming, and leaving matters for a judge to determine can result in an unfavorable decision for everyone involved. When couples can resolve a divorce amicably through effective alternative dispute resolution methods such as negotiation and mediation, the outcome is often more agreeable and easier on the family.

Litigation: Litigation may be the most efficient method of dispute resolution in certain cases. If there are deep divisions between the parties, substance abuse issues, or mental health issues exist, and the parties are unable to communicate with each other to negotiate a resolution, the court stands ready to make the divorce decisions for them. The litigation process involves more structure and formality—usually greater expense—and possibly more time than alternative dispute resolution methods. A court decision, even if not everything the couple had hoped for, is better than no decision in some divorces. Our family law attorney aggressively represents clients who choose litigation, while striving to protect their rights and best interests.

Contact our Southern California Divorce Attorney

Whether you are getting a divorce through mediation, collaborative law, or litigation, our divorce lawyer is dedicated to working for a favorable resolution. For assistance with property division, alimony, child custody, and other family law matters, contact our divorce mediation attorney today.