Finalizing the Divorce.  

​This is the final step for finalizing the documents and filing them with the Court. In a mediation, the parties sometimes start with the agreement before they file. In such an instance they can rest assured that they know what the Judgment (signed and filed document evidencing your divorce and the terms) will state.

There are several different procedures to finalize the divorce and the difference depends on whether the Respondent has filed the Response with the Court. This has a filing fee of $435.00. In a mediation, we usually grant the Respondent an extension and then take their default to save them the $435.00 filing fee.

With either method, there can be an agreement submitted to the Court. The advantage of mediation is that you can plan the timing of the signature of the agreement which becomes part of the Judgment. This gives you more control of the process.

In a litigated case, the worst case scenario, is when the parties don’t agree which leads to much more document preparation, court appearances, and legal fees. In a litigated case, you also have to complete the Disclosure documents AGAIN in a Final Declaration of Disclosure. (This step can be waived if an agreement is reached.)

It is not uncommon for the court appearances - Settlement Conferences and Trial Dates to be continued for several years while the parties attempt to either reach an agreement or gather more evidence to support their claims at trial.

In the situation where the parties reach an agreement early in the mediation process, the final paperwork can be submitted along with the initial Petition which greatly shortens the Court process.

This is the step where the advantages of mediation are most apparent. It not only takes, the emotions and needs of the parties into consideration, but it allows them to control the timing of the final paperwork.

We are here to help and answer your questions about the process.  

Contact Us to Learn More.

Email us at Debra@DebraCrawfordAnnis.com, or call us at 831-372-3900 or text us at 831-275-5291 (275-LAW1).  

​​As the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, we want to assure you that we are here to support you.  We are committed to the safety of our clients and staff. We are conducting  business via email, phone, text messages, and teleconferencing.  We know we will move through this challenging situation together.

Our team will continue to respond to inquiries and move forward on your cases.  Our contact information remains the same and is set forth at the bottom of this email.  

We are instituting teleconferencing and are exploring the available options so that this method of meeting is available to all and easy to use.  

The Monterey County Superior Court is continuing cases in the foreseeable future and you will receive communication from us about your new Court date if your hearing is affected.  

Please watch for subsequent emails to you from our team regarding your case.

Also, feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns, or if there is anything further we can do to accommodate you at this time.

We hope you and your families are safe.  

Thank you,

Debra and Jennifer

​I have now been practicing Divorce Law for more than 35 years.  I used to say that I’d seen it all.  However, I learned the hard way not to say that as no sooner that the words had left my mouth, I’d have a surprise scenario that I’d never even thought of.  

One thing that is for sure is that certain actions will influence the outcome of your case.  Stefanie and I have come up with a list of actions that will have a negative impact on your case.  

1. Be really really angry.

2. Seek revenge

3. Feel like a victim

4. Always be right

5. Don't listen to your lawyer and the experts.

6. Don't fill out your paperwork on time or correctly.

7. Always lie to your lawyer.

8. Be abusive - partcularly to your lawyer, their staff, and the Court Staff.

9. Use your kids as a weapon.

10. Act angry and immature in court.  See number 12, below.


Bonus activities

11. Don't let your friends have any contact with your Ex.

12. Threaten and be rude to the Judge.  Extra points for saying F**k You to the judge in open Court.

13. Never obey court orders, especially restraining orders.

14. Always make sure your threats are in writing.

15. Have a double standard – only the other party has to follow the court orders.

End Note: While these may seem outrageous to you, we see them on a regular basis.  

Contact us for more information and we are always ready to hear about new situations.

Contact Us Via Email

Debra Vaniman Crawford

Voice line - 831-372-3900
​
Text line - 831-275-5291 [831-275-LAW1]

In our last blog post on this subject we explored two differences between a mediated divorce and a litigated divorce.  The first two differences we mentioned were 1) you can have a mutual decision about who is going to be the Petitioner and when the Petition is filed to begin the court portion of the divorce case; and 2) the parties can confer and even work together on doing the Disclosure documents (Schedule of Assets and Debts - FL-142, FL-150, and FL-140).  

In this blog post we are going to look at matters that may need immediate decisions made such as support and custody/visitation of the children.  When people are in transition from a married couple living together to two household units there are a number of matters to be figured out.  The issue that almost every couple has is the division of the incomes of the parties and the payment of the obligations.  In my mediation sessions, I ask the parties to ‘pencil out’ their expenses or anticipated expenses if they haven’t moved yet.  A good tool for this is page 3 - Expenses - of the Income & Expense Declaration.  That is a very basic list of expenses so you can also look at your expense records and see what you are spending your money on.  

This is a time of reckoning for both parties.  Often, if one of the parties doesn’t want the divorce and feels like a victim, the negotiation of how to allocate the income of the parties for short term living expenses and moving has an emotional charge on it.  Likewise, there are complex emotions surrounding where the children will spend their time.  These issues are best discussed with the mediator – a neutral third party, rather than preparing paperwork with (usually) ugly, hurtful, and emotional allegations.  These emotions are often said out loud to each other in my office, and often need to be said.  But this can be part of the process of the separation of the family and it is much safer to have them said in my office with the three of us than in court papers which are public documents where anyone can go to the courthouse and read them.       

When the parties reach an agreement on how to handle the finances and children for the short term, we can write out a temporary agreement.  We can adjust it as time moves forward and the circumstances of the parties change.  

This scenario is vastly different from the one in which the parties file motions with the court and put their often ugly and angry allegations about each other into public court documents.  There are often many court appearances to resolve even simple issues that can run into the thousands of dollars.  

We are here to help and answer your questions about the process.  

Contact Us to Learn More.

Email us at Debra@DebraCrawfordAnnis.com, or call us at 831-372-3900 or text us at 831-275-5291 (275-LAW1).  

​We offer free consultations.  We believe that this is a benefit to both you and the attorney.  In the consultation you have a chance to ask your questions about your situation and the attorney can explain the law and procedures that you will be facing in your situation.  Sometimes we can offer practical solutions that don’t involve going to court.  We can also advise you on the most efficient way to handle your case and explain how particular attorneys in our community work and what that will mean for your case.  

Another benefit of the free consultation is the opportunity for you to meet with Debra one on one so that you can get to know each other and see how you will work together.  A family law matter is a very personal matter and you must feel comfortable with each other.  Debra has been through a divorce and understands how emotional this can be.  It is sometimes surprising how emotional it is to be in the lawyer’s office even if you think you are ready for it.  We can offer ideas to help you through this time – whatever stressful situation you are facing.  

As an attorney and a mediator, Debra can explain what the effect of each method of proceeding will have on your case.  Debra can also analyze your situation and help you decide which method will work best for you.  

Debra explains the different ways we help people – mediation, full representation, and ‘unbundled services’ which can be anything from document preparation to helping you prepare for court.  

One of the biggest advantages that Debra offers is practical solutions to your case.  While some attorneys will advise you to run to court, Debra may help you communicate with the other party in a more effective manner to avoid the extra fees.  Debra can also advise to as to whether, given your history with the other party, court may be your only solution.  

Contact us via email f you want to take advantage of your free consultation with Debra. 

831-372-3900; Toll Free 800-248-2218; Text 831-275-5291 -- 275-LAW1

Alternate Dispute Resolution

    With conflict running rampant in our World, let’s think about some alternative methods of resolving lawsuits. Instead of the “scorched earth” method of trial by judge and/or jury, there are gentler methods available for dispute resolution. These are called alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and they substitute the processes of arbitration and/or mediation for traditional litigation.  

    Arbitration is like a miniature trial where an “arbitrator” – usually a retired judge or practicing lawyer – decides the outcome of the case typically based upon written statements of witnesses and the testimony of the parties. In a binding arbitration, the decision of the arbitrator becomes the judgment of the court. In a non-binding arbitration, either party can ask for a new trial (trial de novo) within the time prescribed by law. However, if they fail to do so within that time, the decision of the arbitrator becomes the judgment of the court. The cost of arbitrating a case is less than taking the case to court, but the arbitrator makes the decision – not the parties. This leads us to an even more cooperative method of dispute resolution:  mediation.  

    Mediation is where a “mediator” – who may be a retired judge, lawyer, psychologist, or other professional mediator – meets with the parties in order to help them reach a mutual agreement regarding the outcome of the case. The goal of mediation is for the parties to reach an agreement which is satisfactory to them.  Mediation can last one session or can go on for many sessions in a complicated matter. If there is a factual dispute the parties cannot resolve without outside expertise, they can agree to hire a neutral expert to make a determination, such as a business valuation, in order to facilitate settlement. A skilled mediator can help parties negotiate innovative and satisfactory results. Mediation can be accomplished without the parties directly speaking to each other with all contact done by the mediator if necessary. If an agreement is reached in mediation, it can become a court order or be confidential at the agreement of the parties.  

Questions?

​    With the recent verbal fireworks surrounding the primary process, it is interesting to look at the First Amendment and what is and is not protected speech. Many people just spout words thinking everything is protected by the First Amendment.  This is not the case. 

    My focus was “hate speech” which we are hearing a great deal about.  Hate speech IS protected by the First Amendment, it may, however, be a crime.  Additionally, if the hate speech constitutes “fighting words,” it is not protected.  Fighting words are speech that may be used to inflame someone and that will likely result in physical retaliation.  This can include words that can incite violence or encourage the commission of illegal acts.  To see whether words are “fighting words,” we ask whether an average person would view the language as being inherently likely to provoke a violent response.  So, Hate Speech is protected by the First Amendment unless it can be categorized as Fighting Words.  Be careful – just because it’s protected by the First Amendment doesn’t mean it’s NOT a crime.      

    Another category of speech that is NOT protected by the First Amendment is Defamation – Slander and Libel.  This is making false statements about someone, particularly in their business which may damage their reputation.  This is another big topic in the election.  If a statement is true, the person against whom the statement is made cannot sue as it isn’t defamation.  This is the old adage, “truth is a defense.”  If the statement is false, however, the publisher of the statement can be sued and damages awarded to the injured person.  

    Other non-protected speech is child pornography, copyright violations, and certain threats.  

    The First Amendment is a much litigated topic and is one of the paramount principles of our great nation.  

    Contact us.