Divorce & Family
Related Matters

Traditional litigation involves the filing of the case, the discovery process, court appearances and trial if settlement cannot be reached. Unlike the collaborative process and mediation, the litigation process typically takes longer because of overloaded court dockets, is more expensive and fails to reduce conflict between parties and families but often is the only option available when you have an uncooperative and aggressive opposing party.

In mediation both parties meet with a neutral party (the mediator) typically without attorneys to negotiate a settlement. A mediator has no power to make decisions regarding your case and will not give you legal advice. Typically a mediator will work to hear the goals of each party and engage the parties in exercising problem solving skills needed to generate options and ideas to help the parties resolve their conflicts.

Collaborative divorce is a legal process that assists in an extensive range of family issues without the threat of litigation. In this procedure, a separate collaboratively trained attorney represents each side to provide advice and understanding in the joint effort to settle all issues bringing in a team of financial neutrals, child specialists, divorce coaches, etc. as needed to resolve the disputes.