» Alaska Association of Collaborative Professionals

Resources from Divorce Options Workshop

January 21st, 2025

Thanks to all who attended and presented at our last Divorce Options Workshop! Attached are some of the materials referred to during the presentation: 2025 Divorce Document Checklist_RB, Divorce Options Outline & Resources, Sample Schedule… Read More

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Free Divorce Options Workshop-- APRIL 23, 2026--live via Zoom, 5:15pm-6:45pm

April 22nd, 2026 7:00am -
April 30th, 2026 5:00pm

Thinking about divorce or dissolution, legal separation, or getting a custody order? What approach is right for you? This workshop is designed for members of the public who have questions about the divorce process. All are welcome. REGISTE… Read More

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J. Stefan Otterson

Lawyer, Mediator

I am glad you are considering Collaborative Law. The beauty of collaborative work is that all the time, expense, and energy is focused on stabilizing the situation and then developing a forward looking plan for the parties. I have practiced law in Anchorage for 33 years, and throughout that period, I have worked to develop skills to resolve conflict without litigation. My experience includes commercial, employment, administrative, mental health, medicaid, family law, probate and guardianships, adoptions, child protection, child advocacy and juvenile delinquency. I mediate in these and other areas, and offer collaborative legal representation in all areas of family law. After many years as a litigator, I have recently restricted my practice to mediation and Collaborative Law only. (I\’ll still provide out-of-court legal advice, and I will litigate compelling cases involving child welfare, but only one at a time.) I have made this change because I want my time to be productive and I\’ve seen too much waste in family law litigation. Second, litigation tends to elbow out all other priorities. I want to be able to focus on helping people solve their own problems, and that requires a different mindset. It\’s possible to switch back and forth between fighting and calming troubled waters, but it\’s not easy. I don\’t want to bring the tension from someone else\’s fight into the room with your mediation or collaborative case. I strongly recommend that separating or divorcing couples consider the collaborative approach as the most dependable way to achieve a fair resolution and a working plan for the future. It is sometimes less expensive, and it is ALWAYS less damaging and more efficient and productive than litigation. My training relating to collaborative law: 2022 IACP Educational Forum, remotely presented International faculty 5+ hrs. 2020 IACP Educational Forum, remotely presented International Faculty 5+ hrs 2018 IACP Institute & Educational Forum, Seattle WA, International Faculty, 19hrs / 2017 Advanced Collaborative Team Training, Liz Ferris 12hrs / 2016 Your Biases: How it Affects Your Clients & Judicial Decision Making, Jeff Rachlinski 3hrs / 2015 Managing & Mediating High Conflict Disputes, Bill Eddy, 12hrs / 2014 Advanced Collaborative Team Training, Linda Solomon, Melinda Eitzen & Scott Clarke, 14hrs / 2014 Divorce Skills & Advanced Divorce Skills, Larry Rice, 13hrs / 2014 IACP Educational Forum, Vancouver BC International Faculty 19hrs / 2013 Advanced Collaborative Team Training, AACP, 5 / 2012 Working with Allied Collaborative Professionals, AACP, 7hrs / 2011 Advanced Collaborative Training, AACP, 5 / 2010 Advanced Collaborative Law Training, AACP, 5hrs / 2010 Appellate Mediation in Federal and State Courts, Alaska Bar Assoc., 2.5hrs / 2009 Advanced Collaborative Law Training, Mariette Geldenhuys, 7hrs / 2008 Basic Collaborative Law Training, Sue Brunsting, Mariette Geldenhuys, 14hrs / 2008 Divorce Mediation Training, Zena Zumeta, 24hrs / 2005 Child Protection Mediation Training, Bernie Mayer, 28hrs / 2002 Conflict Resolution Training, Bernie Mayer, CDR Assoc. 21hrs / 2001 Initial Mediation Training Mary Margaret Golten, CDR Assoc. 40hrs www.aklaw.pro

Ryan Roley

Lawyer

Collaborate or Litigate? Now a choice in Alaska. Since 1988, and through my having both litigated and settled hundreds of cases, I have witnessed the real life, enduring harm of family law cases processed through litigation. I have too-often watched avoidable waste of money, time and energy. I have also shared in the work of divorce and custody matters that the parties controlled, instead of a judge, through a growing option now available in Alaska: Collaborative Law. I am an Attorney member of the Alaska Association of Collaborative Professionals (AKACP) and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP). I practice Family Law/Domestic Relations exclusively in Alaska. Is Collaborative Law a fit for everyone? No. However, the Collaborative Law approach might be the right choice for you and your family. To learn more, contact Ryan Roley and read a few of my blogs on to my website, which is dedicated to Collaborative Law (http://ryanroley.com). Also, read profiles of other member-lawyers, mental health professionals (MHPs) and financial professionals (FPs) available on our AKACP site. Collaborative Law: Transforming how people resolve conflict to achieve a more healthy future for clients and families.

Resources from Divorce Options Workshop

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Free Divorce Options Workshop-- APRIL 23, 2026--live via Zoom, 5:15pm-6:45pm

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