Divorce Mediation
Dr. Corey Hirsch, J.D., L.C.S.W.
Corey combines her therapy experience, legal background and personal experience to establish the delicate balance of law and heart. Having personal experience with divorce, Corey has devoted her career to providing empathic and effective solutions to family matters. Corey’s style is direct while fostering a sense of empowerment.
Corey is passionate about helping couples and families navigate difficult situations and solve problems. Her style is client-focused and she takes the time to understand your unique needs and goals. She supports both parties in identifying their concerns, communicating effectively and reaching mutually agreed upon solutions. Corey’s approach is designed to provide you with the knowledge you need to make wise decisions, while reducing the conflict that often accompanies family disputes or divorce proceedings.
Corey encourages couples to communicate with each other so that they may make decisions that are in their best interests and serves their family’s needs. Corey offers thoughtful solutions and she approaches mediation with respect, compassion and grace. She takes the time to learn about your situation and educate you so you understand your rights and obligations.
If you are willing to have an open mind and you are motivated to avoid the emotional and financial costs of litigation, Corey can help you work toward resolving the issues so that you may move forward and come to resolution.
Doctorate in Clinical Social Work - University of Pennsylvania - 2019 Master’s in Social Work - University of Southern California - 2013 Juris Doctor - Southwestern University School of Law - 1994 Bachelor of Arts - University of Wisconsin-Madison 1991
Member California State Bar - 1994 Licensed Clinical Social Worker - California, Illinois and Colorado Adjunct Professor - Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology Pepperdine University Straus Institute - Mediating the Litigated Case 2008
Doctorate in Clinical Social Work - University of Pennsylvania - 2019 Master’s in Social Work - University of Southern California - 2013 Juris Doctor - Southwestern University School of Law - 1994 Bachelor of Arts - University of Wisconsin-Madison 1991
Member California State Bar - 1994 Licensed Clinical Social Worker - California, Illinois and Colorado Adjunct Professor - Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology Pepperdine University Straus Institute - Mediating the Litigated Case 2008
MEDIATION
Using mediation, you and your spouse are able to make your own decisions about your future, reduce the emotional and financial costs of divorce, and avoid the courtroom. In mediation, you and your spouse will work with Corey to navigate issues such as spousal and child support, division of marital assets and parenting schedules.
Corey is an unbiased neutral party and she will facilitate communication and discussion between you and your spouse about the division of marital assets and debts, the payment of financial support and shared parenting responsibilities. Unlike litigation, with mediation, no court appearances are required. In a litigated divorce, the judge makes the decisions for you and you are bound by the judge’s orders. In mediation, you and your spouse control the decision-making process; instead of putting decisions about their future in a judge’s hands, you control the process and have the power to accept, reject or negotiate the terms in the settlement agreement. Using mediation, you and your spouse can work cooperatively with each other, and end your marriage without the high emotional and financial costs of going to court. You retain the power and control to create a unique, individualized, fair and consensual agreement about your future.
Corey is not a legal or financial advisor; nor is she acting as a therapist during mediation. Corey recommends that both parties consult with an attorney, CPA or any other professional for guidance about the terms included in the final settlement agreement.
The mediation process begins when you and your spouse jointly retain a neutral third party mediator like Corey, who is mindful of your needs and concerns, and will guide you and your spouse through the issues that need to be resolved. Corey facilitates discussion, problem-solving, negotiation and resolution; she helps you and your spouse craft a mutually agreed upon settlement agreement. In addition to identification, discussion and resolution about issues such as financial support, division of assets and debts, and parenting time, the mediation process includes executing and filing all documents necessary for initiating and finalizing the divorce.
Often the mediation process takes three to five 1 - 2 hour sessions. The time involved in mediation depends on the couple’s ability to communicate, listen and work together to reach agreement.
Mediation is voluntary and requires open-mindedness and flexibility. Mediation can be an effective, lower costing and advantageous approach to divorce that allows you and your spouse to decide your future and keeps private family business out of the courtroom.
Mediation promotes less conflict and healthier post-divorce relationships. In addition, children do much better when parents use mediation to create a personalized settlement agreement.