Frequently Asked Questions

What is collaborative law?

In a nutshell, collaborative law helps couples and families settle divorce cases without stepping foot in a courtroom. The goal is to provide a safe arena for each party to express issues, resolve conflict, and negotiate a settlement without a judge.

What are the advantages of this method?

The collaborative law process offers numerous advantages over traditional divorce proceedings:

  • You’re in control.
    In collaborative law, you’re a key member of the team. Rather than a judge or lawyer dictating your future, you (and your spouse) control and shape the settlement.
  • Focus on the future.
    Divorce is not fun. However, it doesn’t have to be ugly. When you work through the collaborative process, you restructure your lives in the most respectful way possible and create a healthy foundation from which you and your family can move forward.
  • Privacy
    Rather than airing your dirty laundry in a courtroom, your settlement is developed cooperatively with your spouse, attorneys, and collaborative professionals in private.
  • Negotiate a better settlement.
    Collaborative law allows for creative solutions and “out of the box” thinking not readily available through traditional court proceedings. There are no cookie-cutter solutions: your family’s unique situation is always kept in mind. As such, settlements produced through this process are more detailed and complete.
  • You get more for less.
    Typically, the collaborative law process is more affordable and less time consuming than a litigation. You don’t have to wait for court dates scheduled months away and settlements are finalized quickly.

Is the collaborative law option a good fit for me and my family?

Collaborative law focuses on cooperation. Rather than assessing blame, the process focuses on preserving dignity and respect while developing solutions that allow your family to move forward with a strong foundation. You should consider the collaborative process if you:

  • Have children.
  • Want to protect your family from a “courtroom battle.”
  • Value personal responsibility.
  • Want to preserve respect.
  • Want to create a positive and fair solution.
  • Understand the necessity of honesty in settlement proceedings: you disclose complete and accurate information regarding finances.

Collaborative law professionals understand that divorce is tough. Our job is to guide you to solutions, not cause more conflict or make parties feel more threatened in an already vulnerable time. If this sounds good to you, please call us at: (651) 301-9852 or send us an email.

When should I call you?

If you’re thinking about getting a divorce, please contact me as soon as possible. When you contact me early, we have time to discuss your situation and options available to you. In addition, I can help you through this process as a coach and advocate. Here’s my contact information: (651) 301-9852 or send us an email.

Why should I call you?

As a collaborative lawyer, I’m not only trained in the collaborative process, I care about my clients. I believe that honesty and respect produce the most successful outcomes and take pride knowing that I help people through their most difficult times.

What’s the difference between collaborative law and traditional divorce?

In traditional divorce, the law approaches the end of your marriage like the end of a contract. The process moves forward like a civil lawsuit: one party serves the other with legal documents asking for everything that could possibly be awarded by the court. The other party responds with a counter-suit, asking for the same award from the court. Then, both parties file their documents and wait for the court hearings to proceed. This could take several months, in some cases years.

Collaborative process, on the other hand, brings all parties (couples, attorneys, etc.) together prior to serving divorce papers. Together, this group shapes a settlement that both parties find acceptable. The court is NOT involved with this process. Once finished, the group submits the written resolution to a judge.

What is the process, how do we work toward a settlement?

All participants in the process communicate through meetings, conference calls, and email. When we meet, all individuals involved in the process come together to discuss issues and develop solutions.

Can I get more information?

Certainly. Please don’t hesitate to call me at (651) 301-9852 or email. me to set up a meeting.