Family Law
Services
From mediation and arbitration to more specialized services, the neutrals at Signature Resolution provide the leadership, wisdom, and temperament to solve even the most complex disputes.
Mediation
A confidential and nonbinding process. Our trained mediators will facilitate dialogue between the parties and counsel and assist them in reaching a mutually acceptable resolution.
Arbitration
A dispute resolution process in which the parties agree, usually by contract, to use a neutral arbitrator, selected by both litigants, to hear the merits of the case and decide the outcome without proceeding to court. Depending on the nature of the parties’ arbitration agreement, Signature Resolution may use a single neutral arbitrator or a panel of three arbitrators to hear the dispute.
Special Master Assignments
Appointed pre-trial, during trial, or post-trial, our “special master,” or referee in federal court, will carry out an action on the Court’s behalf. This action may be as varied as the actions taken by the Court.
Discovery References
Signature Resolution’s neutral will hear and determine discovery motions and disputes in pending court actions, and then report their findings and make recommendations to the Court. This is especially important in complex matters. Discovery referees may be hired directly by the parties to assist them with working through discovery disputes. As an alternative, they may also be appointed by the Court, by mutual agreement, or after being compelled by a Court order.
Judicial References
The parties may decide to have their dispute heard by a private judicial referee, acting under the auspices of the Court in which the matter is pending. Signature Resolution’s judicial referees hear, determine, and then report their decision back to the court in a pending action. The referee performs all the functions of the judge, under appointment, in a private, comfortable setting designed with the parties’ privacy and convenience in mind.
Judge Pro Tem
At Signature Resolution, as a judge pro tem, experienced retired judicial officers will preside over family law or civil law cases after stipulation by the parties. The standards of proof at these trials are the same as in a public trial, and the outcome is enforceable in appellate courts. The Superior Court approves of the parties’ stipulation.
Parent Plan Coordination
At Signature Resolution, as a Parenting Plan Coordinator, a neutral, attorney, or retired Judicial Officer, is appointed by the Court by stipulation of the parties to resolve disputes between parents concerning the clarification, implementation, and adaptation of a court-ordered parenting plan.
Appellate Consultation
Our neutrals are available to work with individual parties as independent consultants to help them create and develop effective appellate strategies. The neutral will work directly with the party to evaluate appellate arguments, offer assistance with briefs, and help develop effective appellate tactics and presentations.
Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE)
Have a neutral mediator consider either party’s position and render an evaluation during a confidential session in which both parties submit their cases.
Mock Trial
Our neutrals are available to simulate a lower-court trial in which counsel can test theories, practice presentation skills, and receive valuable feedback on their arguments and approach.
Mediation
— —A confidential and nonbinding process. Our trained mediators will facilitate dialogue between the parties and counsel and assist them in reaching a mutually acceptable resolution.
Arbitration
— —A dispute resolution process in which the parties agree, usually by contract, to use a neutral arbitrator, selected by both litigants, to hear the merits of the case and decide the outcome without proceeding to court. Depending on the nature of the parties’ arbitration agreement, Signature Resolution may use a single neutral arbitrator or a panel of three arbitrators to hear the dispute.
Special Master Assignments
— —Appointed pre-trial, during trial, or post-trial, our “special master,” or referee in federal court, will carry out an action on the Court’s behalf. This action may be as varied as the actions taken by the Court.
Discovery References
— —Signature Resolution’s neutral will hear and determine discovery motions and disputes in pending court actions, and then report their findings and make recommendations to the Court. This is especially important in complex matters. Discovery referees may be hired directly by the parties to assist them with working through discovery disputes. As an alternative, they may also be appointed by the Court, by mutual agreement, or after being compelled by a Court order.
Judicial References
— —The parties may decide to have their dispute heard by a private judicial referee, acting under the auspices of the Court in which the matter is pending. Signature Resolution’s judicial referees hear, determine, and then report their decision back to the court in a pending action. The referee performs all the functions of the judge, under appointment, in a private, comfortable setting designed with the parties’ privacy and convenience in mind.
Judge Pro Tem
— —At Signature Resolution, as a judge pro tem, experienced retired judicial officers will preside over family law or civil law cases after stipulation by the parties. The standards of proof at these trials are the same as in a public trial, and the outcome is enforceable in appellate courts. The Superior Court approves of the parties’ stipulation.
Parent Plan Coordination
— —At Signature Resolution, as a Parenting Plan Coordinator, a neutral, attorney, or retired Judicial Officer, is appointed by the Court by stipulation of the parties to resolve disputes between parents concerning the clarification, implementation, and adaptation of a court-ordered parenting plan.
Appellate Consultation
— —Our neutrals are available to work with individual parties as independent consultants to help them create and develop effective appellate strategies. The neutral will work directly with the party to evaluate appellate arguments, offer assistance with briefs, and help develop effective appellate tactics and presentations.
Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE)
— —Have a neutral mediator consider either party’s position and render an evaluation during a confidential session in which both parties submit their cases.
Mock Trial
— —Our neutrals are available to simulate a lower-court trial in which counsel can test theories, practice presentation skills, and receive valuable feedback on their arguments and approach.
Virtual Dispute
Resolution
Resolve your dispute from anywhere with our Virtual Dispute Resolution services. Through online mediation, our neutrals resolve your case on a secure video platform while maintaining your privacy.
Learn More