Expert: Timmy Chou - 2/5/2008

Question
How do I convert an arbitration award for a dissolutin of marraige into a judgment? I'm located in CA

Answer
Greetings and thank you for your question.

Typically arbitration is not submitted to a court unless the arbitration is part of a court-ordered solution and there is an active case.  

Without this in place up front, the only solution is to file a new case seeking to have the agreement specified in a stipulated court ordered agreement. You will have to hire an attorney to do this, and the other party may not agree -- in which case you have another fight on your hands.  

Usually family court mediations and arbitrations have a streamlined procedure for this cases of divorce, etc.  I am surprised you were not advised of these options by those involved.

This is not always the case in every state and I am not familiar with CA procedures.  

I would call a divorce mediation firm in CA and ask them how this is typically done -- they may also be able to help you get the last distance traveled fairly inexpensively.

Good Luck!