Alternative Dispute Resolution Home

"The formal litigation of legal claims and disputes is expensive and time consuming. The overall results achieved by some or all of the parties are often unsatisfactory. There are many modern alternatives to formal court litigation which are less expensive, less time consuming, and more beneficial to the parties. It is therefore the firm policy and goal of this court to encourage the parties in all civil cases to explore and pursue private dispute resolution by means of an Alternative Dispute Resolution process that is appropriate to the matter at the earliest appropriate date." (Local Rule 16.1.).

"The Sonoma County Superior Court recognizes the unique nature of family law disputes and the fact that family law issues are best resolved by the parties reaching agreement over such critical matters as child custody, support, and property, without engaging in the traditional adversarial litigation process. The Sonoma County Superior Court strongly supports the use of the collaborative law process as well as other alternative dispute resolution tools for the purpose of developing both short-term and long-term workable agreements that meet the best interests of the entire family, particularly the children whose lives will be affected by the resolution." (Local Rule 9.25).