Case Studies
Real Stories. Real Solutions.
At Forester Family Law, we believe every family deserves clarity, compassion, and a path forward.
Our case studies highlight how we’ve helped clients navigate complex divorces, custody disputes, and mediation with tailored legal strategies that put their futures first. While every case is unique, these examples reflect our commitment to resolution over conflict and people over process.
Mediation Strategies for High-Conflict Custody Disputes Involving Young Children
How to Resolve High-Conflict Custody Battles Through Mediation.
Even under perfect conditions with cooperative parties, custody disputes can pose significant challenges for mediators. But when a couple’s former passion for one another turns into extreme animosity, the hurdles of a custody battle often multiply.
Solving Spousal Support Disputes Through Mediation
How to Negotiate Spousal Support Without Going to Court Using Creative Mediation Strategies.
Research estimates that 36.7% of divorces occur as the result of financial problems, meaning over one-third of marriages end due to money-related stress. But even when finances aren’t the primary reason for separation, spousal support can be one of the most contentious topics
we address in mediation. This is especially true when one party has no interest in reaching a reasonable solution, as we’ll see in the cases presented today.
Working With Expert Consultants to
Resolve High-Conflict Mediation Cases
How to Rely on Your Network to Address Difficult Case Challenges
Helping couples make joint decisions about money, parenting, and their future is hard enough when emotions run high, but it becomes almost impossible when mediators try to handle every detail of a case alone.
Strategic Separation: Balancing Real Estate, Family, and Timing
A High-Value Home and the Gross-Up Dilemma
When a couple couldn’t agree on how to fairly divide the family home and retirement savings, mediation uncovered a creative path. By rethinking equity, timing, and tax pitfalls, both parents secured long-term stability without going to court.
Stability at Stake: Divorce Planning for a Young Family
When retirement savings couldn’t solve the buyout, mediation found a way to meet both parents’ needs even if it meant sacrificing the family home.
For one young family, retirement funds and the family home weren’t enough to satisfy two very different needs: immediate housing and long-term stability. Mediation revealed hard limits and showed that sometimes the fairest outcome means letting go of what you hoped to keep.
High Stakes, High Risk: When Retirement Promises Don’t Deliver
When a settlement built on a speculative retirement plan unraveled, trust, timing, and the right expert guidance make all the difference.
A settlement built on a promised retirement payout seemed like the perfect solution…until the gamble unraveled. This case highlights why even ‘successful’ mediations can fail if agreements aren’t grounded in secure, reliable assets.
Ready for a Transparent and Peaceful Mediation?
If you are dealing with a high-conflict custody dispute or other family law issues, Forester Family Law is here to help.
Contact us today to book a consultation and learn more about what mediation can do for you.
I Emphasize Resolution Over the Myth of “Winning” In Divorce
How to Create a Child Custody Agreement in California Without Going to Court
The thought of a long, drawn-out court battle over child custody is enough to cause any parent sleepless nights, especially when you consider the toll it can take on your children. Recent research has shown that exposure to ongoing conflict, even nonviolent arguments,...
Family Court vs. Mediation: Which Saves Time and Money?
Whether you’re facing a divorce, custody dispute, or disagreements over spousal support, deciding how to resolve a family law issue can feel daunting. The prospect of paying tens of thousands in legal fees while discussing private matters in a public courtroom can add...
What Family Law Professionals Need to Know about California’s SB 940
California recently passed significant legislation—Senate Bill 940 (SB 940)—that family law professionals must thoroughly understand to stay effective and compliant in 2025 and beyond. While SB 940 primarily focuses on...