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805-477-0505

Offices in Ventura & Westlake Village

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Office Locations:

Westlake Village Office

3075 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Westlake Village, CA 91362

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Ventura Office

1198 Navigator Drive #20

Ventura, CA 93001

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Phone: 805-477-0505

Fax: 805-676-1481

At the Ventura County Law and Mediation Offices of Barton Pokras we provide personal attention in matters related to divorce, support, & custody. We serve clients in Westlake Villlage, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Moorpark, Oak Park, Simi Valley, Calabasas, Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, and Ojai. We represent families and individuals throughout Los Angeles County and Ventura County.

The Law and Mediation Offices of Barton Pokras

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Practice Information

Divorce

High Net Worth Divorces

Mediation & Collaborative Law

Negotiaton Methods

Negotiation Methods in Family Law

Mediation and Collaborative Family Law in Ventura County

In many divorce situations, the most efficient method to achieve resolution is via mediation or a collaborative approach. It is important to note that these methods work best when all parties are committed to the methodologies, and in some case the history of the marriage, the complexity of the joint and separate finances, and emotional state of those involved do not foster the proper environment. However, should either mediation or a collaborative approach be a good option, The Law & Mediation Offices of Barton Pokras can assist you.

Mediation

Mediation is a private and confidential process that takes place outside of court. The parties are assisted by an impartial mediator to resolve any or all of the issues in their family law matter. Often, mediators are not lawyers as there is no legal requirement that mediation be under a legal professional’s guidance. But as one can imagine, having an attorney on your side helps ensure that agreements are legally legitimate, thus considerable trouble may be avoided in the long run.

Attorney Barton Pokras can serve as a mediator in your divorce, or as consultant for parties that are having their divorce mediated by another mediator. He can attend the mediation sessions with you and participate in the mediation if so desired. Additionally, Attorney Pokras can discuss your negotiation strategy prior to any mediation meetings, and help prepare the necessary disclosure documents to ensure proper and productive mediation sessions.

Collaborative Divorce

Collaborative Family Law is similar to divorce mediation in that it can resolve family law disputes without going to court. However, attorneys represent both spouses and are trained in the Collaborative Process. An important stipulation in collaborative law is that all parties agree to the Principles & Guidelines of the Collaborative Process and each spouse signs an agreement at beginning of the case.

Considerations for Mediation or Collaboration

Some divorces are known as "high conflict divorces” and usually end up in court regardless of the initial intent to resolve matters amicably. These cases are generally not suitable for mediation or collaborative practice approach, because at least one of the parties is not really interested in reaching a settlement and instead prefers to prolong the process to either harm the other party, or as an effort to retain some relationship or interaction. Our law offices’ approach in these cases is to proactively "defend" our clients, devise strategies to keep the costs down, and to associate with experienced mental health professionals to protect the client and children involved.

Extensive Experience in Ventura County

Barton Pokras is a member of the Coalition for Collaborative Divorce, the Collaborative Family Law Professionals (Ventura), and the Los Angeles Collaborative Family Law Association, as well as the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. He is the current president (2009) of the Coalition for Collaborative Divorce.

Contact Our Office About Mediation and Collaborative Law Services

Explore your options by discussing your divorce situation with an attorney with over 20 years of family law experience and the skill and resources to handle whatever your case my bring. Initial consultations free and confidential - there is no obligation to move forward. Meetings may be arranges at either of our offices: Ventura or Westlake Village. Email our office or call 805-477-8505.