Who Are We?

We are lawyers, financial professionals, mediators and counselors dedicated to offering our clients a confidential, out-of-court, dignified approach to handle divorce, custody, modification, guardianship and other family matters through the use of the Collaborative Law approach.

We believe resolving legal conflicts collaboratively produces better results than litigation or rushed settlements just prior to trial.  The Collaborative Law process gives the best chance of resolving conflict without court.  We can tailor the process to provide the support and advice that's needed to achieve your goals.  We can handle everything from formalizing an agreement you've already roughed out, to tackling the most complex financial disputes and the most challenging parenting issues.  

What is the Collaborative Process?

The Collaborative Process is an out-of-court way to avoid the cost, stress and unpredictability of divorce or other family law litigation.  In a Collaborative case, each party is represented by an attorney.  Working together as a team, the parties, their attorneys, and allied professionals identify the needs, interests and priorities of each family member as well as the areas where the parties disagree.  The Collaborative team helps the parties use problem-solving strategies to arrive at a carefully thought out settlement, which meet the needs of each family member.

How does the Collaborative Process Work?

At the beginning of every Collaborative case, the attorneys, the parties, and the other professionals sign an agreement which sets the guidelines for the process and disqualifies the professionals from participating in any litigation between the parties if the Collaborative Process does not result in a settlement.    The disqualification requirement ensures the Collaborative attorneys focus on reaching an agreement, and prevents either attorney from threatening to take a case to trial.  It allows parties to focus on their true goals and interests rather than trying to settle while preparing for a fight at the same time.     

The team approach means the parties can work directly with a neutral financial or parenting specialist if they wish, and only involve the attorneys when there are legal questions, or when advocacy is needed.  The team shares information, so there is little duplication of efforts, and the misunderstandings that usually fuel litigation don't occur.    

Find out if collaborative law is right for you.