Services
1. Collaborative Divorce Law
2. Divorce Mediation
3. Limited Legal Services
4. Additional Services
COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE LAW: In my collaborative divorce practice, each party has a collaborative lawyer and the four of us work as a team. We deal with financial, emotional and parenting issues in a cost-effective way by jointly hiring other professional team members. Everyone shares the goal of producing a workable, out-of-court settlement that lasts.
In a traditional divorce, lawyers advocate forcefully for their clients without necessarily considering the needs of other family members, especially children. The attorney’s primary focus on their client can increase conflict, and damage relationships which are already fragile. We collaborative lawyers represent our clients. We also encourage and focus on dialogue between family members about their legitimate needs and interests. We are especially mindful of children, making sure that their voices are heard by the people crafting the settlement.
We build teams of supportive professionals who help families solve their problems and restructure their relationships. As a result of working collaboratively, couples dissolve their marriage and renegotiate their relationship in order to co-parent effectively. If children are not involved, the parties detach emotionally and financially in order to move freely into their new lives.
DIVORCE MEDIATION: Through my mediation practice, I help people resolve disputes ranging from divorce transitions and parenting plan modifications to business partner buyouts. I meet with each party individually before I meet with the couple or small group. We get to know one another and some of the issues before we meet jointly for 1½- 2 hours. A divorce with children and property averages 5-10 sessions over 6-12 months. First we gather data and talk about process and content, then we develop options, then we create settlement scenarios, and finally, we negotiate a mutually acceptable outcome. Sometimes the parties choose to be in different rooms during mediation and I shuttle between them.
Although I do work with people who are not represented by an attorney, I recommend that each party have independent counsel. When each party gets the legal advice he or she needs before the divorce is final, the settlement lasts. The settlement is also strong because each party is clear about what they are signing. Both parties are protected from the argument of the other later on that they did not understand the legal ramifications of their agreements.
In traditional divorces in and around Puget Sound, the Court requires mediation at least thirty days before trial. Additionally, the Courts require mediation when parenting is an issue. Although I mediate parenting plans and custody as well as full divorces, I prefer to begin mediation as early as possible in your separation or divorce process. By talking about shared goals and ways to achieve them at the beginning, you are free of the time and money pressures that a looming trial date creates. Early in your case, if you withstand the temptation to start a fight in our adversarial legal system, you can use your energy to turn your divorce into a healing process.
LIMITED LEGAL SERVICES: I provide limited legal services in uncontested divorce cases, i.e. one in which both parties intend to create a lasting out-of-court settlement. One party may negotiate with his/her spouse directly, we may negotiate together or I may negotiate on his or her behalf with either the spouse or the spouse’s lawyer. If either spouse chooses to go to Court and ask a Judge to make a decision, I refer my client to another lawyer or to representing her/himself. I also consult with people who represent themselves. I draft documents, review ones that others prepare, and answer questions.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES: I prepare estate planning documents such as Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney and Directives to Physicians. Additionally, I probate estates after someone dies in Washington.
I am happy to talk to you about how my services might fit your needs.
