A California divorce that has not been fully resolved through negotiation may reach a mandatory settlement conference as trial approaches. The purpose of the conference is to give the parties another opportunity to resolve some or all disputed issues without requiring the court to decide them at trial. A settlement conference is not simply an informal conversation. The parties and trial attorneys generally must attend, preparation is required, and an agreement reached during the conference can become binding when properly documented.

The Court Can Require a Settlement Conference Before Trial

California family law cases may be set for one or more mandatory settlement conferences. A court can set the conference on its own initiative, and a party may also ask the court to order one.

Local court rules can significantly affect how settlement conferences are conducted. Some courts require conferences as part of their ordinary pretrial procedures and impose detailed requirements concerning the information the parties must exchange beforehand.

The parties and the attorneys who will try the case generally must personally attend the mandatory settlement conference unless the court excuses attendance for good cause.

Although settlement efforts may have already occurred, the conference creates a focused opportunity to reconsider disputed issues as trial approaches.

The settlement conference judge may discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the parties’ positions and, depending on the procedure used, may indicate possible outcomes if the matter proceeds to trial. That information can help the parties evaluate whether continued litigation is preferable to a negotiated resolution.

Settlement Conference Statements Identify the Remaining Disputes

Preparation generally includes submitting a settlement conference statement.

The statement typically describes the case, identifies the issues that remain contested, explains the party’s position on those issues, and provides a settlement proposal. Local rules may require additional information.

This process can be particularly useful in a California divorce involving multiple disputes. Property characterization, valuation, reimbursement claims, spousal support, and other issues may all require separate consideration.

Identifying each unresolved issue helps prevent an apparent settlement from leaving an important matter unanswered.

The parties may also be required under local procedures to exchange information before the conference and discuss their readiness for trial, prior settlement efforts, and the amount of trial time that will be needed.

A mandatory settlement conference is not itself a substitute for the financial disclosure and discovery required to understand the issues being negotiated.

A Settlement Reached at the Conference Can Become Binding

When the parties reach an agreement at a judicially supervised settlement conference, properly documenting the settlement is important.

The terms should generally be placed on the court record while the parties and attorneys are present. The parties can be questioned under oath about whether they understand the agreement and voluntarily agree to its terms.

Once a qualifying settlement has been properly entered on the record, a party cannot necessarily undo it simply by changing their mind afterward. If one spouse later refuses to sign the more formal documents reflecting the settlement, the other spouse may be able to ask the court to enter judgment according to the agreement that was made.

Partial settlements can also be valuable. The spouses do not necessarily have to resolve the entire California divorce at the conference. Settling some disputed issues can narrow what remains for trial.

Any unresolved matters continue toward trial unless the parties later reach another agreement or the court resolves them.

Conclusion: A Settlement Conference Can Narrow or Resolve a California Divorce Before Trial

A mandatory settlement conference provides a structured opportunity to resolve contested California divorce issues before trial. The parties generally must attend prepared to discuss their positions, remaining disputes, and possible settlement terms. If an agreement is reached and properly placed on the record, it can become binding rather than serving merely as a tentative proposal. Even when the entire case does not settle, resolving individual issues can substantially narrow what the family court must ultimately decide at trial.