Legal disclaimer.
How to understand this website and the services described on it. Please read this carefully.
Practical Family Mediation helps people resolve disputes through mediation. It does not act as your attorney and does not give legal advice. Marissa Chen has a law degree but is not currently licensed to practice law in California. This website is general information only, and using it does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific legal situation, talk with an independent attorney.
Mediation services, not legal representation
Practical Family Mediation provides mediation services. It does not provide legal representation. A mediator is a neutral third person who helps the people in a dispute talk through the issues, understand each other's priorities, explore options, and work toward practical agreements. A mediator does not represent either participant, does not take sides, and does not decide who is right.
Mediation is not a substitute for independent legal advice
Mediation is not legal advice and is not a substitute for it. The information shared during mediation, and the information on this website, is general in nature and is not tailored to your specific circumstances. Before making decisions with legal consequences, you are encouraged to obtain independent legal advice from a qualified, licensed attorney of your choosing.
About Marissa Chen, J.D.
Marissa Chen, J.D. is a law-trained mediator with a legal education. She has earned a law degree. She is not currently licensed to practice law in California. She does not act as anyone's attorney, does not provide legal representation, and does not provide legal advice. References to her legal education describe her background as a mediator and are not an offer of legal services.
You may consult independent attorneys
Participants are always free to consult independent attorneys before, during, or after mediation. You may choose to have an independent attorney review any written understanding reached in mediation, advise you about your rights and options, or help formalize an agreement. Practical Family Mediation encourages independent legal advice whenever it would be helpful.
General information only
This website is provided for general informational purposes only. Nothing on this website is intended to be, and nothing on it should be relied upon as, legal advice. The content may not reflect the most current legal developments and may not apply to your particular situation. Your use of this website is at your own discretion.
No attorney-client or mediator-client relationship
No attorney-client relationship is created by visiting this website, by contacting the practice, by submitting a form, or by participating in mediation. Sending a message or an email does not by itself create a mediator-client relationship. A mediator-client relationship begins only if and when both participants and Practical Family Mediation agree in writing to proceed with mediation.
Mediation confidentiality in California
California has mediation confidentiality laws that generally protect communications made for the purpose of, and during, mediation. These protections have important details and exceptions, and how they apply depends on the specific circumstances. This website does not describe those laws in full and does not provide legal advice about them. For guidance about confidentiality in your situation, please consult independent legal counsel.
No guarantees of outcome
Every dispute is different. Practical Family Mediation does not guarantee any particular result, agreement, resolution, timeline, or cost savings. Mediation depends on the willingness of the participants and the specifics of the situation. Any statements about mediation on this website describe general possibilities, not promises or guarantees.
Questions about this disclaimer
If you have questions about this disclaimer, you can reach Practical Family Mediation by email at marissa@practicalfamilymediation.com. You may also review our Privacy Policy.