Family Law & Mediation

Mediation/Arbitration options exist for half-day, full day or multiple days as well as retainer based hourly options.

Private Family Law Mediation or Arbitration

Whether you represent yourself or as a form of a Collaborative process wherein you are represented by attorneys, Mediation as a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) seeks to help families resolve disputes and improve communication for mutually beneficial agreements in a constructive and creative manner to allow cooperation as required to facilitate settlement, closure and an action plan without the stress of litigation.  Arbitration is also an option wherein a decision will be made for you to resolve your disputes in the event an agreement is not achieved.

Disputes are oftentimes best resolved outside the courtroom.  These disputes can involve spouses or former spouses, domestic partners, former partners and or parents and grandparents. Parties experiencing lengthy and expensive litigation disputes are turning to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for confidential, cost-effective and efficient solutions to resolve their disputes.

As an experienced neutral focused mediator in family law, Ms. Moshrefi can facilitate resolving high-conflict cases through innovative settlement ideas and extensive legal expertise resolving differences by encouraging principled negotiation between disputing parties, guiding them towards mutually beneficial agreements.   

Ms. Moshrefi’s well known thoroughness and preparation skills assist parties in a confidential setting to facilitate a resolution through hard work and creative problem-solving.

With options for VIRTUAL or online, ON SIGHT, or HYBRID models of mediation, the process is customized to meet the parties’ needs.

Summary of Benefits of Mediation/Arbitration:

·        Select your own experienced adjudicator, don’t take chances with a randomly assigned stranger who will judge your case with little

to no family law experience and little to no time due to their caseload.

·        Reduce the cost of litigation at an early stage of your case.

·        Retain control over the process.

·        Retain control over the decisions.

·        A faster more cooperative process.

·        Obtain legal documents, orders, judgments, etc. you can file with the court after your mediation/arbitration.

  Family Law Mediation:

o    Mediated dissolution or legal separation issues can include:  valuation, characterization as well as division of property, community property and separate property distribution, self-employed individuals and small businesses, valuation and division of real and personal property, professional practices including stock options and restricted stocks, public and private retirement benefits, as well as allocation of debt and attorney's fees.  Financial issues can also include spousal support or alimony, child and adult dependent child support.  Mediation can occur prior to commencement of litigation, during litigation or post judgment issues after orders were made.  Cases can range from multi-million dollars to very limited estates.

 o    Mediated child support can include support for minor child(ren) and adult dependent child support, establishing paternity, birth certificate changes, name changes, healthcare needs and costs, as well as extra- curricular activity cost.

 o    Mediated parenting plans can include parenting time schedules, relocation, extra-curricular activities, drug/alcohol abuse, abuse, non-parental custody, manipulation of children, medical & counseling as well as mental health issues, co-parenting needs, schooling issues, and travel (domestic and international).

 o    Post Judgment Mediations can address modification of prior orders or omitted issues including changes to parenting plans, changes to judgments relating to property and assets or debts, as well as child and spousal support modifications, attorney fees and enforcement issues.  

Litigation can tear families apart and tear down any semblance of civility left after a difficult breakup of a relationship or lead to the breakdown in communication.  In contrast, mediation - be it between former partners, co-parents, premarital, marital, or post-marital circumstances- addresses the concerns and interests of the parties in a compassionate manner.

Mediation is a collaborative approach that keeps you in control of your decisions instead of a courtroom judge who doesn’t know or have the time to understand your family dynamic.  Through mediation, you work together with Ms. Moshrefi to negotiate, reach agreements and put together the legal paperwork associated with your agreements (i.e. parenting plan, orders, judgment, etc.) 

Virtual or online mediation is a convenient way to negotiate and settle your case.  In-person mediation can also serve as a cooperative way of gathering parties in one location (albeit arrangements for separate rooms are always available for as an alternative to joint sessions) with a focus on settlement.  Our mediator, Ms. Moshrefi has a law degree, Juris Doctorate, extensive mediation training and certification, as well as real world hands on experience in mediation, arbitration and litigation.  Her extensive experience can help resolve simple to complex matters with a focus on expediency, cost effectiveness and cooperation.