Hermosa Beach Alternative Dispute Resolution Lawyer

Alternative Dispute Resolution Attorney in Hermosa Beach, CA

Going to trial in a family court case can be expensive, time-consuming, and stressful. Additionally, trials are public, meaning that anyone can know the details of your divorce, child custody case, or domestic violence allegation. Fortunately, there is a way to seek resolutions in a private and cost-effective manner in California. At Rombro & Manley LLP, a Hermosa Beach alternative dispute resolution lawyer is here to help.

Rombro & Manley LLP: Helping You Seek Solutions

The idea of walking into the Torrance Courthouse on Maple Avenue, where your family law matter will likely be held, can prove terrifying. For many folks, a family law matter is the first time they will find themselves involved in a legal situation. At Rombro & Manley LLP, we’ve been in your shoes. We understand how frightening these cases can be, and over the last four decades, we have been helping clients avoid trial by seeking alternative methods.

Types of Alternative Dispute Resolutions Available in Hermosa Beach

The divorce rate in California was 5.88 per 1000 women in 2022. When it comes time for a divorce, you will likely also have to deal with issues regarding child custody, spousal support, child support, property division, paternity actions, and even domestic violence allegations.

Whatever your case might involve, the last thing you want to do is end up going to court. Instead, alternative dispute resolution methods, also known as ADRs, are available. These include:

• Mediation. In mediation, a neutral third-party individual facilitates discussions between the two parties and their legal representatives. This can help the spouses reach solutions themselves, rather than having to go before a judge to make these decisions for them.

Meditation is a confidential and private practice that can offer a quicker and less expensive alternative to handling divorces, child custody cases, and spousal support cases.

• Private Judge. Family law cases can also be resolved through use of a private judge. Using a private judge is similar to court litigation in that the third-party neutral, or the private judge, issues an order after hearing the arguments from both parties involved. However, the process here is much quicker, private, and can limit the costs that often become involved in court.
• A “4-way” meeting. This process is where the parties and their attorneys all sit down together to work out an agreement between the parties.

Advantages of ADR

Deciding to process your family law case with alternative dispute resolution, rather than costly and lengthy litigation, can have several advantages. In Hermosa Beach, where 1,414 individuals have been divorced, many have handled these legal situations through successful ADR and have had a lawyer by their side guiding them through. Whatever method of ADR you choose, it can offer you the following advantages:

• Privacy. Proceedings that go through ADR rather than litigation are not matters held in the public record. Instead, mediation or a private judge are good options for individuals who prefer to keep their disputes private.
• Speed. In a divorce or other family law case, wanting to end the situation and reach a resolution as quickly as possible is understandable. With ADR, you can set your own schedule rather than waiting for the availability of the Los Angeles County court system and resolve your dispute relatively quickly with minimal disruption.
• Flexibility. Neutral third parties in ADR are not usually bound by the same evidence or procedural rules that are required in courtroom litigation. This can provide the parties involved with more flexibility when presenting their cases.
• Selectivity. When a complex case is involved, the parties may wish to have their disputes guided by someone who understands the issue at hand and the relevant laws.
• Cost. Entering into a method of ADR over court litigation can help both parties save money, as neither method will require the same time or formalities as a courtroom trial.

If you think ADR is right for you, Contact the Manhattan Beach offices of Rombro & Manley LLP today. Not all family law disputes have to be messy, drawn-out, ugly court trials. Instead, ADR offers smoother, more amicable methods that will benefit all involved, especially minor children.

FAQs About Hermosa Beach, CA Alternative Dispute Resolution Laws

What Are Settlement Conferences?

Settlement conferences exist somewhere between mediation and using a private judge. The settlement conference allows both parties and their attorneys to meet with a family court judge to discuss all potential settlements that may be available in their case. While the judge is involved in these situations, they are not rendering a final judgment, as they would in the case of litigation.

Can ADR Help with Child Support Cases?

In nearly 30% of all child support cases, parents who owe support do not get it. If you are involved in a dispute regarding child support, alternative dispute resolution may help ensure that you receive the support you are owed as the custodial parent, or can help ensure that the amount you are required to pay is fair and reasonable, considering both your interests and those of your child.

What is a Neutral Evaluation?

Neutral evaluation is similar to arbitration in the sense that the parties go to a neutral third party. However, instead of reaching a conclusion or ordering an award at the end, the third-party will offer their opinions on the case and explain, in their opinion, what the outcome of a potential trial would look like.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire an ADR Lawyer?

It can be difficult to offer an exact number as to how much it might cost to hire an ADR lawyer in California. This is because several factors can influence the final cost analysis of these cases. Factors include the complexity of your case, the duration of your case, and the skill level of your lawyer.

Hire a Hermosa Beach Alternative Dispute Resolution Lawyer from Rombro & Manley LLP Today

Regardless of the nature of your family law dispute, ADR can prove beneficial to all involved. At Rombro & Manley LLP, we have extensive experience handling both mediation and private judge cases and are prepared to help you throughout every step of the process. Our dedication lies in fast, effective, and cost-efficient solutions for everyone. Contact our offices today to learn more and hire an alternative dispute resolution lawyer.