There are many good reasons that couples decide to handle a divorce or other family law issue through an alternative process like mediation or collaborative law.
When successful, the process can save a lot of time and money over going to court. Many people also find it less emotionally draining. When children are involved, parents frequently use mediation and collaborative law as a way to work together for the good of the children.
One advantage to divorce alternatives that residents of the Los Angeles area may overlook is the privacy it offers.
Privacy historically has bene a priority for most Californians, but it may be especially important for people who have professional standing in the community or who may have a lot of wealth.
Divorce is a matter of public record
As much as one might want to keep a divorce or other family law fight out of the public eye, the reality is that these proceedings are, for the most part, matters of public record.
What the means is that, under the law, members of the public, including members of the news media and other influencers, are allowed to inspect court files, transcripts, and the like so long as they are willing to take the time to do so and pay the appropriate fee.
Courtrooms are also open in California, meaning that, generally, the public is free to attend a divorce proceeding.
The bottom line is that it is hard to keep the details of a divorce secret, no matter how embarrassing or private these details may be. A person would need a good legal argument as to why a court proceedings should not be available to the public.
But mediated settlements can remain confidential
Mediation, by contrast, is a confidential process. In a mediation, a couple can discuss the details of their wealth and their family situation freely, even the sensitive or unflattering parts. The details of what gets discussed in a mediation do not have to wind up in a courtroom.