Pontciello Andrea M

Welcome to the Law & Mediation Offices of Andrea M. Ponticiello, where we offer a client-oriented practice dedicated to effectively and compassionately guiding clients through the disorienting maze of the family law legal system. We are located in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, and our goal is to provide you with the legal mandates you need to understand your options. Our experienced family law attorney, Ms. Ponticiello, will advocate for your best interests without losing sight of the emotional and financial toll the divorce process takes on you. Most importantly, we pride ourselves on placing the best interest of your children in the forefront of our concerns.

We understand that every client's situation is unique and requires a tailored approach. That's why we offer a variety of services to help you navigate the legal system. These include Mediation, Collaborative Law, Litigation, Guardianships, Step-parent/Relative Adoptions, Private Judging, and Private Settlement Conferences. We would be happy to help you determine which service is right for you.

Our office is dedicated to providing compassionate, effective, and efficient legal services to our clients. We are committed to understanding your needs and providing you with the best possible outcomes. We pride ourselves on our commitment to integrity, professionalism, and excellence. Our mission is to provide our clients with the highest level of service, while also providing them with the support and guidance they need during this difficult time.

We are dedicated to helping you understand the legal mandates and to determine your options. We will help you develop an action plan and establish your rights under the law. We would be happy to help you figure out whether you need an attorney, and to establish your rights under the law. Contact us for a free phone consultation to see if our services are right for you.

Our Services

At the Law & Mediation Offices of Andrea M. Ponticiello, we offer a variety of services to help you navigate the legal system. These include:

• Mediation: Mediation is an out-of-court process where an experienced mediator facilitates communication between the parties, with or without their own attorneys, in order to reach an agreement that is acceptable to all. The mediator informs the parties of the law that is applicable to their case and answers any questions they may have. The mediator prepares all the necessary documents and files them with the Court. The parties never have to go to Court and all appointments are scheduled at their convenience at the mediator's office. Our goal as mediator is to help our clients reach solutions that each party can live with. We assist our clients in defining what they value most in a resolution, and help them to achieve their goals. This method is generally the quickest and most financially reasonable way to navigate the legal process. Clients who mediate are more likely to enjoy a more cordial relationship in the future, which is particularly important in families with children.

• Collaborative Law: Collaborative Law is the gold standard for addressing Family Law issues like divorce, domestic partner termination, child custody and support, and division of assets. Like Mediation, it is an out-of-court process. But there are some important distinctions. The lawyers who have chosen to undergo the mandated training in order to become collaborative attorneys operate by certain ethical tenets. Collaborative Law is based upon three principles: An honest exchange of information by both spouses/parties. A solution that considers the highest priorities of both spouses/parties and their children. A pledge not to litigate. The goal is to develop effective communication, solve problems jointly and prevent a court battle. The ideal model in Collaborative Law is to work with your lawyer as part of a team. Other professionals include divorce coaches, child specialists, and financial consultants. This option is especially preferable where there are children and lifelong connections will remain. Although this option is more costly than Mediation, it is well worth it for the superior results that are often achieved.

• Litigation: Litigation is the process of taking a case to court and having a judge or jury decide the outcome. This is often the most expensive and time-consuming option, but it may be necessary in some cases where the parties cannot come to an agreement.

• Guardianships: A guardianship is a legal relationship where one person (the guardian) is given the legal authority to make decisions for another person (the ward). This can be necessary in cases where a person is unable to make decisions for themselves due to a disability or illness.

• Step-parent/Relative Adoptions: A step-parent or relative adoption is the process of a step-parent or relative adopting a child. This can be a complex process and often requires the assistance of an attorney.

• Private Judging & Settlements: A private judge is a retired judge who is hired to preside over a case. This can be beneficial in cases where the parties prefer a more private and less formal setting than a traditional courtroom. A settlement is an agreement reached by the parties to resolve the case without going to trial.

About Andrea Ponticiello

Andrea Ponticiello is an experienced Sonoma County family law attorney who has been dedicated to effectively and compassionately guiding clients through the disorienting maze of the family law legal system. She prides herself on being thorough in her review of the case and is especially perceptive in creating acceptable resolutions. An exceptionally high percentage of cases that she mediates result in settlement, thus serving the parties both psychologically and financially.

Andrea has an eclectic legal background. She was a prosecutor for 11 years before opening her private practice in Family Law in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California. Because of an abiding interest in psychology, Andrea also became a part-time panelist for the Department of Mental Health as a Hearing Officer for 15 years. Andrea taught at Empire Law School for two years, and is often a speaker at local high schools educating young people about the law.

At the Law & Mediation Offices of Andrea M. Ponticiello, we are dedicated to providing compassionate, effective, and efficient legal services to our clients. We are committed to understanding your needs and providing you with the best possible outcomes. We pride ourselves on our commitment to integrity, professionalism, and excellence. Our mission is to provide our clients with the highest level of service, while also providing them with the support and guidance they need during this difficult time.