Is there mandatory Arbitration for divorce in California?

Question

Folks are getting divorced

Answer 1

No -- arbitration is optional, not mandatory.

There is a provision for mandatory mediation -- meaning the parties might be ordered to attempt mediation -- but they cannot be required to settle anything in mediation if they don't want to.

However -- mediation is very useful, and much less expensive than a drawn out legal battle -- so if the parties can resolve as much as possible through mediation, it will only help both of them.