Empowering You to Make Decisions You Can Live With
I am attorney Lenita Skoretz. As a divorce mediation lawyer in Redlands, California, I see an increasing number of divorcing couples who choose to work cooperatively together to reach acceptable divorce resolutions, without litigation.
I use the mediation process to help clients identify their objectives, then move forward to reach them. In a divorce trial, the judge has only limited options. There is seldom room for creativity or finding ways to resolve non-legal issues. In the mediation process, however, you can work with your ex-spouse to discover the true issues, what the options are, and what agreement will be amicable to both of you.
How the mediation process works
We begin by identifying the issues you can both agree on, then go over the issues where there is less agreement. When you and your ex-spouse arrive at a resolution that meets your real needs and works for both of you, both of you are more likely to honor it. The process can also help build a solid working relationship that you will need if you have children together, a joint business, or any other ongoing contact.
In mediation, I work together with you, your ex-spouse and opposing lawyer and (generally) a professional counselor to create a divorce agreement that includes all of the necessary elements: property settlement, child custody and co-parenting visitation plan, spousal support, and child support. When all parties have had a fair hand in developing the final agreement, it will truly reflect the needs and goals of the couple.
As a mediator, I help couples communicate and maintain a respectful atmosphere in which to come to a workable agreement. Both spouses then sign off on the final agreement before it is approved by the judge.
When to use the divorce mediation process
- When both parties want to engage in a more private, less antagonistic, and less time-consuming process
- When both parties want to cooperate and have demonstrated that they can cooperate
- When both parties believe that the other party is able to be honest and cooperative
When Not to Use the Collaborative Divorce Process or Divorce Mediation
- When one party has not agreed to participate
- If there has been abuse in the relationship
- When one party believes the other party has not been honest, is hiding income or assets, or cannot cooperate honestly
When agreements have been reached, I can prepare appropriate the legal paperwork, which will be reviewed by the couple and by the attorney for the other spouse before submission to the court for a judge's approval. Having a lawyer properly draft these contracts is essential if they are to be enforceable and protect your interests and your children's rights.
Why let a judge who does not know you make some of the most important decisions in your life? You alone have the knowledge and the power to make the best decisions for your life. I can help you do that, even in the difficult circumstances of divorce.
Contact me to discuss the empowering option of the mediation process in your divorce.
