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EZLegalFile is an interactive program that will help you fill out the forms necessary to request or respond to papers for Small Claims, Family, Guardianship, Marriage and Divorce issues.

»Family Law Facilitator
»Guardianship Clinic
»Temporary Restraining Order Clinic
»Small Claims Legal Adviser
»Self Help Access Center

ADR - Alternative Dispute Resolution

The policy of the Sonoma County Superior Court is:
"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 alternatives at the earliest possible date." (Local Rule 16.1.)

 "Alternative, dispute resolution process" or "ADR process" means a process, other than formal litigation, in which a neutral person or persons resolve a dispute or assist parties in resolving their dispute. There are several types of ADR.

MEDIATION: Mediation is one of the most frequently used methods of ADR because it is informal, quick, convenient and confidential. In this process the parties select a neutral mediator who facilitates the identification of issues and areas of agreement and assists in finding a resolution or settlement of the dispute. Since mediation requires the agreement of the parties to resolve the matter, control of the proceedings and a determination of the settlement terms remains completely in the parties" hands. The mediator remains neutral and assists the parties in arriving at terms that are mutually agreeable.

ARBITRATION: The parties jointly employ a neutral third party or a panel of neutrals to listen to both sides and render a decision. The parties are free to make the arbitrator"s decision binding or non-binding. When non-binding, the arbitrator"s decision serves as guide or influence upon the parties to bring them closer to settlement. If it is binding, the decision of the arbitrator will be final and generally avoids any further proceedings in the case. Non-binding judicial arbitration may be ordered in certain cases before trial.

EARLY NEUTRAL EVALUATION: A neutral evaluator is hired by the parties to give an evaluation of the case to help settle it. You or your attorney will be permitted to prepare a written statement, present critical witnesses or other evidence, argue your case to the evaluator, meet separately and confidentially with the evaluator, and utilize the evaluator to communicate any settlement offers to the opposing party.

PRIVATE SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE: A voluntary settlement conference is similar to early neutral evaluation in that the parties employ a neutral settlement officer who attempts to persuade the parties to accept a compromise position. It is a form of facilitated negotiation in which the settlement officer may express an opinion about the value of the case, the substantive merits of each party"s position, and the probable outcome of the trial.

If you are interested in obtaining further information about ADR click here.

Domestic Violence Services
YWCA Women"s Emergency Shelter Program
Crisis Line: (707) 546-1234
Business Line: (707) 546-7115

Sonoma County Legal Aid
Telephone Number (707) 542-1290

Sonoma County Legal Services Foundation
Telephone Number (707) 546-2924

Sonoma County Bar Association
Lawyer Referral Service
Telephone Number (707) 546-5297

California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA)
Telephone Number (707) 528-9941

Fair Housing of Sonoma County
Fair Housing and Tenant Landlord Information Hotline
Telephone Number (707) 579-5033

California Courts Online Self-Help Center
Tools, resources and links for topics such as divorce, child custody/support, domestic violence, traffic, and small claims.

State Bar of California Consumer Information
Consumer Information Pamphlets, Statutory Will form, and more.

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