Public and Private Litigation Services
Whether your family law matter belongs in public court or before a private judge, The Ford Firm guides Bay Area clients through every step.
Litigation in Public Courts
By default, parties in California who are divorcing will participate in the public court system. Most hearings and trials are held at the county courthouse and are open to the public. In addition, most documents and papers that are filed with the court are public records that can be viewed by the public.
The public court system provides divorce and family law dispute resolution services to all at a low cost; however, the public court system has a heavy workload and moves at a snail’s pace. Depending on your county, it can take years to resolve your family law matter. As judges get appointed by the Governor, or elected by voters, they rotate through different departments at the county courthouse. This regular rotation of judges causes delays and inefficiencies and can also increase costs. It can also produce a lot of frustration for clients if the different judges seem to be making inconsistent decisions or announcing inconsistent priorities.
Litigation Before Private Judges
To avoid the delays and frustrations of the public court system in California, many parties choose to conduct their divorce through private litigation, using a “private judge.” A private judge is typically a retired judge or family law specialist who has been granted special authority by the county’s public judges to hear and resolve family law disputes.
In contrast to the public court system where the judge’s services are free, a private judge charges an hourly rate for their time. While the fees paid to a private judge can be substantial, private judges are always experienced in family law, efficient, and more available than public judges. Disputes get resolved faster, and complicated matters get the attention that they require. Plus, you are assured of having one judge addressing all issues in your family law case from beginning to end.
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Attorneys and Mediators Dedicated Exclusively to Family Law