After more than thirty years as a family law and matrimonial attorney, my practice is limited to Collaborative Practice and Mediation. I believe that people facing separation and divorce should be given the opportunity to choose a process for resolving their differences that honors their participation and trusts their ability to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.
Collaborative Law and Mediation for Family Law Resolutions
Both Mediation and Collaborative Law Practice rely on a voluntary exchange of information and a commitment to reach a mutually acceptable resolution. In both processes, the clients create options for settlement and control the final outcome. In both, if either party resorts to litigation, the voluntary and client-centered process ends.
As difficult as it might be at this time, the choices you make at the beginning of a process to separate or divorce will in large part determine the way your separation or divorce turns out, what kind of relationship you have in the future and how your children adjust. The guiding principle of Collaborative Law Practice and Mediation is respect and the respectful atmosphere in the room encourages understanding, compassion and cooperation. Collaborative Professionals and Mediators are specially trained in supporting constructive conversations and providing structure for non-adversarial negotiations.
Clients make a commitment to reach a comprehensive agreement. Custody decisions are spoken of in terms of a parenting arrangement that will ensure that children come through this family transition as whole and healthy as possible. Financial matters are addressed openly and honestly so that the the final resolution will work in the best way possible given the clients' income and resources.
