Wednesday, May 2, 2012

NCRC’s Family Law Mediation Panel has Expanded


      NCRC is pleased to announce that Frank Nageotte, Esq. a certified Family Law Specialist and Hon. Susan Finlay (ret.) have joined NCRC’s Divorce and Family Law Mediation program. Judge Finlay is part of NCRC’s division called West Coast Resolution Group (WCRG).

     Both have many years of experience as family law attorneys, and Judge Finlay also has additional experience as a Family Law judge. She sat in Chula Vista and then Downtown family Court.

     Both Frank and Judge Finlay will be providing mediation services, and Judge Finlay will also be available for Private Judging and to conduct Settlement Conferences.

     Parties using mediation do not need to have retained attorneys. If they do, it is their choice whether to have them attend the mediation sessions with them or not. They often have consulting attorneys who advise them outside of the sessions and review any paperwork prepared by the mediator. Such consulting attorneys may also attend sessions if both parties agree.

     For Private Judging or Settlement Conferences, at least one of the parties is required to have an attorney. If both parties have attorneys, it is expected that the attorneys will be active participants in the hearing or the Settlement Conference, unless they advise us otherwise.

     Parties can sign an agreement (Stipulation) letting the court know that they plan to use a private, retired Family Law Judge, that the decision will be entered into the court record, and will be enforceable.

     For more information about NCRC’s Divorce and Family Law Mediation services, you can go to www.ncrconline.com or www.westcoastresolution.com.