Mediation Mistakes

Couple reviewing AI-generated divorce documents with a Los Angeles family law attorney for accuracy

AI-Generated Divorce Documents: When Free Tools Become Costly Mistakes

Leave a Comment / Divorce, Divorce Mediation, Family law mediation, Hermes Law Group, Mediation Mistakes, Peter Hermes / By

Generative AI has transformed how people approach almost every kind of writing—including legal writing. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and a wave of legal-specific tools can produce a marital settlement agreement in seconds. For divorcing couples watching attorney fees pile up, the temptation is obvious: why pay thousands of dollars for what an AI can draft in […]

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Calendar marking date of separation in California divorce with attorney highlighting key dates

Date of Separation Disputes: Why a Single Date Can Cost Six Figures

Leave a Comment / Cost expectations, Emotional/legal guidance, Family law mediation, Hermes Law Group, Mediation Mistakes, Peter Hermes / By

A single date on a divorce timeline carries more financial weight than almost any other fact in California family law: the date of separation. Earnings, bonuses, stock vesting, retirement contributions, debts—everything before that date is community property and split equally; everything after is generally separate property of the earning spouse. When the date is undisputed,

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Pet custody California divorce dog with both owners during family law mediation

Pet Custody in California Divorce: Family Code §2605 Explained

Leave a Comment / calculate child support California, Divorce, Family law mediation, Hermes Law Group, Mediation Mistakes, Peter Hermes / By

Until 2019, California family courts treated pets the way they treated coffee tables: as community property to be divided based on who paid for them and who held title. Anyone who has ever shared their life with a dog or cat knew that approach was inadequate, and the legislature eventually agreed. Family Code §2605, effective

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Professional mediation session focused on avoiding common mediation mistakes that cost clients thousands

Avoid Common Mediation Mistakes That Cost Clients Thousands

Leave a Comment / Divorce Mediation, Family Law attorney LA, Family law mediation, Hermes Law Group, Mediation Mistakes / By

Imagine standing on the brink of a favorable settlement, only to watch it slip away due to an overlooked detail or poorly managed interaction. For countless clients, seemingly minor missteps during the mediation process have led to the loss of thousands of dollars—mistakes that could have been avoided with proactive planning and clear communication. This

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