• COLLABORATIVE LAW

    Collaborative family law is a process that enables you and your spouse to resolve your differences in a non-adversarial manner

Collaborative family law is a process that enables you and your spouse to resolve your differences in a non-adversarial manner, and to create solutions that are best for you and your family.  The collaborative family law process can be used not only in divorce, but also in separations, before marriage with pre-nuptial agreements, paternity and during marriage with a post-nuptial agreement.

The goal of collaborative law is to minimize, if not eliminate, the negative economic, social and emotional consequences of litigation to families. Choosing collaborative law requires a commitment to resolving differences justly and equitably.

How does the Collaborative Process Work?

The process operates in an environment grounded in transparency, good faith, cooperation and professional ethics.  You, your spouse and collaboratively trained attorneys enter into a participation agreement, which commits to resolve all issues without court intervention.  This commitment to settlement is memorialized in a binding agreement signed by both parties and their attorneys at the beginning of the collaborative process.

Do you use other professionals in the collaborative process?

An advantage of the collaborative process is the use of other collaboratively trained, neutral professionals such as accountants, a facilitator usually a professional trained as a mental health therapist or other experts, where the issues may require valuation of a business, appraisals or guidance on parenting or child issues.  In the collaborative process, the parties work with a neutral professional, who becomes part of the team and provides an even-handed view of relevant information to assist in providing options for settlement.  The neutral professional or professionals are hired as part of the collaborative team.  Whether neutral professionals are part of the team is a decision you make with your attorney.

How do I get started?

You will need to call a collaboratively trained attorney, such as Nancy Pelosi, to discuss how the collaborative process can benefit you and your spouse and any unique issues that may need to be considered.  Communication is important and is often at a low point when you are contemplating divorce.  The collaborative process is uniquely prepared to help you with any issues such as communication which may be hampering parenting or presenting a roadblock to resolving certain issues.

The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely on advertisements.  Before you decide, ask me to send you free written information on my qualifications and experience.

This Website is designed for general information only.  The information provided on this website should not be construed to be legal advice nor the creation of an attorney-client relationship.

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