In 17 years of litigating high conflict divorces, I have seen and heard more than you can imagine. I have seen lawyers write letters costing $395 per hour over a $40 Halloween costume.
I have seen clients accuse the other parent of “stealing” a plastic Starbucks water bottle because the child left it at the other parent’s house. I have seen litigants in Court argue to Judges over allocation of $25 in babysitting fees. You name it, I have seen it. But, I have also seen chiefs of staff of very large hospitals settle their high asset divorce case in a single six hour mediation session. I have seen a slew of celebrities resolve their differences quickly and quietly out of court (think Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes) in less than 60 days. These people, and people like them, realize the time value of money. It is your right to sit in Los Angeles Superior Court for 5 hours before your case is heard, to partake in a custody evaluation that may take 14 months to complete, or to drain your kids college accounts over “principles”.
Or, you can try mediation before going the litigation route. I have settled 9 out of 10 cases I have mediated. The 1 case went to trial and got the exact same result I proposed in mediation. Isn’t it at least worth a (less expensive) first try? I mediate cases for couples who have no lawyers and for couples who have already both lawyered up. I can provide references from other local Los Angeles attorneys. Please call me if I can help you.
Don’t wait to resolve the problems. If you would like a free phone consultation with family law attorney and 2013 Super Lawyer of the Year, Denise Placencio, call 877-317-8080.