Family Law Mediation LA
About Peter T. Hermes
Peter T. Hermes, Esq., is a Los Angeles native and an accomplished family law attorney and mediator with more than 52 years of experience in California family law.
Raised in a close, hard-working, Italian family, Peter learned early on in his career, the importance of family, responsibility, integrity, hard work and finding practical and creative ways through difficult divorce situations.
Peter began and joined practicing family law with Stephen A. Kolodny, Esq., for 28 years. He then created and managed the Family Law Department at Stockwell Harris Widom and Woolverton and then served as a partner and senior litigator at Kolodny and Anteau in Beverly Hills.
Over the years, Peter has handled a wide range of family law matters from divorce, custody and support disputes to highly complex cases involving businesses, substantial assets, premarital agreement disputes and representing well-known individuals in the entertainment, business and sports communities.
In 2000, Peter formed Hermes & Glavin, LLP and later continued his private family law practice through Hermes Law Group.
Today, Peter brings more than five (5) decades of experience, judgment and perspective to his litigation and mediation practice, helping individuals, families and their attorneys work through difficult issues and disputes and find practical solutions, creative options and ways forward for clients and mediation participants to successfully move on with their lives.
Mission Statement
Family law disputes are rarely just about the law. They involve real people, impacting their families, finances, children, relationships, anger, fear of the unknown, unreasonable or misinformed expectations, taking charge or control of their lives, emotions and difficult life-changing decisions that can have lasting effects.
After more than five decades in family law, Peter has seen firsthand how prolonged litigation can take an emotional and financial toll on the parties and their family members involved.
His goal as a mediator (neutral) is to give each participant a voice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard without being judged, help identify the real issues and possible options and solutions, bring clarity and perspective to difficult discussions and provide options and/or alternative and creative ways that would move the mediation process forward to a successful conclusion for both parties. Where attorneys are involved, Peter works with them as part of the process.
The aim is not to force a settlement, but to provide and maintain a safe, mediation environment and help people make informed decisions, reduce unnecessary conflict and acrimony and, whenever possible, assist the participants to reach fair and practical agreements that allow everyone to move successfully forward with their lives.
Achievements, Certifications and Expertise
Peter T. Hermes’ professional background reflects more than five decades of work in California family law, litigation and mediation.
His experience includes:
- More than 52 years practicing California family law
- Service on the Los Angeles Superior Court Family Law Mediation Panel
- Completion of the Mosten-Guthrie Advanced Mediation Program
- Participation in the Sorrell Trope Trial Institute as a guest mock trial participant
- Former Certified Family Law Specialist, State Bar of California
- Extensive experience in divorce, custody support, property division and post-judgment matters, among others
- Experience handling complex cases involving business interests, substantial assets and well-known individuals and families
- Involvement in significant California family law cases including lead attorney in the Trial and Appeal in the landmark California Supreme Court family law case of In re Marriage of Pendleton-Fireman
- Television appearances as a guest family law attorney on NBC, ABC, CBS and KTLA discussing family law issues and topicsPeter’s experience comes from decades spent working through difficult, family law matters with clients, attorneys, judges and court personnel throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Ventura County and other Central and Northern jurisdictions.
“Neutral” – What Does This Mean?
Peter has always described a “neutral” in a simple way:
“The mediator functions as a “Neutral”, providing the mediation participants “a voice” – without being judged.”
As a neutral mediator, Peter does not represent either participant, does not take sides nor does he decide who is right or wrong and all settlement decisions are made by the parties (exclusively) and not by the mediator.
His role is to make sure each participant has a safe mediation environment, has the opportunity to be heard, to help clarify the issues and to keep the resolution discussions moving in a productive direction.
Neutrality does not mean sitting back and saying nothing. Peter draws on more than 52 years of family law experience to listen, ask questions, identify obstacles, bring perspective to difficult issues, identify the statutory and case law that addresses or impacts a disputed issue and help participants explore practical options and solutions.
What is Mediation?
Mediation is a confidential process in which a neutral mediator helps participants work through marital issues in dispute and explore possible ways, options and alternatives to resolve them – without the enormous financial cost of litigation.
Unlike litigation, mediation keeps the decisions in the hands of the participants. The mediator does not represent either side, does and decide who is right or wrong, or impose an outcome.
Instead, the mediator helps clarify the issues, improve communications between the participants where possible, and guide the discussion toward practical options and settlement solutions. The participants remain in control of the decisions they make and any agreements they reach.
The goal is to provide a constructive and safe setting in which difficult issues and possible solutions can be addressed openly, without unnecessary conflict, acrimony and expense, resulting in a process that achieves workable agreements, voluntarily reached by the participants.
Experience Matters
After more than 52 years practicing family law, Peter has handled thousands of matters involving divorce, custody, support, property, premarital agreements and other family law issues. Some have been straightforward. Others involved difficult legal questions, complex financial issues, high conflict or involving well-known individuals and families.
That experience matters in mediation.
Peter has spent his entire career as a divorce litigator. He knows how cases develop, how disputes can escalate, and how much time, money and emotional energy can be spent when people are unable to reach a resolution and how the time expended in contentious litigation (years) creates lost financial opportunities for the litigants.
He also knows that every family, every litigant and every case is different. There is no single approach that works for everyone. In mediation, Peter draws on his years of experience to help identify the important issues, ask the right questions and bring perspective to difficult dispute resolution discussions.
Over the course of his career, Peter has served on the Los Angeles Superior Court Family Lawa Mediation Panel, has participated as a guest mock trial participant in the Sorrell Trope Trial Institute programs, completed the Mosten-Guthrie Advanced Mediation Program, and was involved in significant family law matters including lead counsel in the Trial and Appeal in the case of Marriage of Pendleton-Fireman (a landmark California Supreme Court family law case).
For Peter, experience is not about having all the answers – it is about listening, knowing what to look for, what questions to ask, controlling the approach and effective path to settlement discussions and settlement and when and how there may be another way forward.
Why Mediate with Peter T. Hermes?
Peter brings more than 52 years of family law experience to mediation. He has handled thousands of matters involving divorce, custody, support, property, premarital agreement disputes, domestic violence restraining order matters and other family law related issues and has seen firsthand how quickly conflict can become costly, stressful and difficult to manage.
His years as a litigator give him a practical understanding and experience of how cases develop, where disputes can escalate, how disputes can be resolved and what may be gained – or lost – by continuing through litigation.
In mediation, Peter does not take sides or impose solutions. He listens, asks questions, helps identify the real issues and brings perspective and options to difficult discussions. His role is to help participants understand their resolution options, work through areas of disagreement and, where possible, reach reasonable and workable resolutions that mediation participants can live with.
Peter believes people are more likely to make progress when they are heard and not judged and given the choice to take control of their lives and make their own informed resolution decisions. That belief, together with his extensive experience, common sense and straightforward approach shapes the way he conducts every mediation.
Achievements, Certifications & Expertise
Mr. Hermes has been a long-standing mediator for the Los Angeles County Superior Court Family Law Mediation Panel and he has successfully conducted numerous private mediations relating to Family Law cases.
In 2001, Mr. Hermes was appointed to the prestigious position and served a term as a member of the State of California, Fair Employment & Housing Commission Advisory Committee.
In March, 2017, Mr. Hermes participated in the First Annual Sorrell Trope Trial Institute Program as a Lawyer panelist-presenter. This Program, consisting of 12 prominent family law attorneys in Los Angeles, offered Continuing Legal Education to lawyers and individuals using mock trial demonstrations and input from the bench and experienced trial counsel, providing improved trial advocacy skills.
While a partner at Kolodny & Anteau, he was co-lead counsel in the trial, post-trial and appellate matters (arguing the case at the California Court of Appeals level) involving the landmark California Supreme Court case of In Re: Marriage of Pendleton-Fireman, (2000) 24 Ca1.4th 39, involving the enforceability of spousal support waivers in pre-marital agreements.
Mr. Hermes obtained certification as a Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California in the first certification program offered by the California State Bar in 1980 (non renouvele).
Mr. Hermes continues to educate the public and represent clients pertaining to all aspects of family law legal matters including, but not limited to, divorce, legal separation, child custody, move-away cases, spousal tort actions, civil “Marvin” actions, domestic violence actions, paternity and premarital and “Marvin” agreements.
Mr. Hermes has successfully completed the Mosten-Guthrie Mediation Advanced Mediation Program and continues to educate himself in all areas of mediation techniques and Practice — including offering Zoom mediation for the convenience of all participants. Mr. Hermes is comfortable dealing with complex and challenging move-away cases, domestic violence actions and spousal tort actions (usually impacting women and children — violence in marital and live-in partner situations has reached epidemic levels in California), areas of the law that pose and address unique legal challenges, in the litigation, mediation and educational process.
Mr. Hermes has appeared as a guest legal analyst/speaker for local and national television news programs (NBC, ABC, CBS and KTLA). He is passionate about accurate and informed education of family law.
Mr. Hermes actively participated in the start-up and organization of an annual charity golf tournament (the “Hula Classic”) to benefit local non-profits. Beneficiaries included “Break the Cycle” which is an organization whose goal is to prevent violence in teens, the “1736 Family Crisis Center” and “Haven House” (the first home and shelter for battered women and children in the United States), all located in Los Angeles County.
Education and Licensing
- B.S. Economics, Loyola University Los Angeles, CA (1970)
- J.D., Southwestern University School of Law, Los Angeles, 1973 — Moot Court Honors
- Admitted to practice in California
- Admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States
- Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association
The legal term for divorce in California is “dissolution of marriage.”
California is a “no-fault” divorce state, meaning that you do not need to prove fault or wrongdoing to obtain a divorce. The most common ground for dissolution is “irreconcilable differences.”
Yes, there is a residency requirement to file for dissolution of marriage (divorce) in California. Either you or your spouse must meet the following residency criteria:
- You or your spouse must have been a resident of California for at least six (6) months before filing for divorce.
- You or your spouse must have been a resident of the county where you plan to file the divorce petition for at least three (3) months before filing.
It’s important to note that meeting the residency requirement is necessary to establish the jurisdiction of the California courts over the parties and the divorce case. If you or your spouse do not meet the residency requirement, you need to wait until the requirement is satisfied before filing for divorce.
No, to file for divorce in California, either spouse must meet the residency requirements, which include living in the state for at least six (6) months and in the county where the divorce petition is filed for at least three (3) months.
Yes, it is possible to obtain a divorce without going to court in California if both parties reach an agreement on all issues, such as property division, child custody, and support. The terms of the agreement must then be included in a Judgment of Dissolution, and signed by both parties (and counsel) and filed and entered by the Court (along with other supporting Court forms). Be advised that the Court will not enter the Judgment until both parties exchange their Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure (“PDD”) and file the Declaration Regarding Service of Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure and submit their Waiver of Final Declaration of Disclosure, if agreed. Always consult your lawyer regarding the Judgment process or the Court facilitator if you are in pro per.
Los Angeles courts are often backlogged with divorce cases, making litigation a slow and costly process. Choosing an amicable divorce through mediation offers many advantages, including:
✅ Lower Costs – Mediation is significantly cheaper than hiring attorneys for a court battle.
✅ Faster Process – Mediation helps couples resolve issues in weeks or months, not years.
✅ Less Stress – A collaborative approach fosters open communication and reduces conflict.
✅ More Control – Couples decide on the terms instead of leaving it up to a judge.
✅ Better for Children – Minimizes emotional strain on kids by promoting cooperative co-parenting.
Law mediation (also called legal or court-referred mediation) is a voluntary or court-ordered process where a neutral third party—the mediator—helps disputing parties resolve their conflict outside of a courtroom. It can be used to resolve a wide range of issues, especially when the parties want a more collaborative, cost-effective, and confidential resolution. Common types of issues resolved through mediation include:
✅ Family and Divorce Matters
✅ Civil Disputes
✅ Real Estate and Property Conflicts
✅ Employment and Workplace Issues
✅ Business and Commercial Disputes
✅ Probate and Inheritance
✅ Small Claims and Personal Injury
Choosing mediation over litigation offers several key benefits, particularly in terms of time, cost, relationships, and flexibility. Here’s a breakdown of the advantages:
✅ Cost-Effective
✅ Faster Resolution
✅ Confidentiality
✅ Greater Control
✅ Preserves Relationships
✅ Higher Compliance Rates
Divorce is often seen as a high-conflict, emotionally draining, and expensive legal process. But it doesn’t have to be that way. For many couples, divorce mediation offers a more peaceful, cost-effective, and private alternative to traditional litigation. But what exactly is divorce mediation, and how does it differ from going to court?
Divorce is never easy, emotionally or financially. But for couples looking to part ways without draining their savings or engaging in drawn-out court battles, divorce mediation can be a practical and affordable option—especially in a city like Los Angeles, where legal costs can escalate quickly. If you’re considering divorce mediation and wondering how much it really costs in LA, this blog post breaks down everything you need to know, from average prices to what factors influence the final bill—and how you can find affordable options.
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WHAT IS A MIAM IN FAMILY MEDIATION?
A ‘MIAM’ is a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. These meetings are confidential and usually take place separately. The purpose of a MIAM is for the Mediator to:
- Explain the process as an option
- Explain their role as an impartial professional (a Family Mediator is often a qualified solicitor with experience in family law)
- Take details regarding the party’s situation to identify what the issues are
- Assess if their situation is suitable for mediation
- Identify if there are any underlying issues the mediator needs to be aware of which may affect how any joint meetings are conducted if mediation was to proceed
Court proceedings are often the last resort, but after your MIAM, if you choose not to mediation or mediation is not considered appropriate you will be issued with the ‘MIAM certificate’ to enable you to issue an application to Court if you wish.