CHILD CUSTODY

When King Solomon was called upon to arbitrate a dispute between two women, both claiming to be the natural mother of a baby, he famously said “Give me a sword,” suggesting to literally cut the baby in half. Solomon’s trickery worked and the child’s real mother revealed herself by protesting the killing.  What, however, would King Solomon have done in the case of two loving parents instead of one?

Despite the potential for shared custody and fair parenting plans, no agreement will ever be able to effectively “split the baby” and the prospect of being without your child for any length of time is devastating for a parent.  

In mediation, parents are reminded and directed to consider the best interests of the children when negotiating their agreement. The process allows you to brainstorm practical proposals that can best meet the children’s needs, in a confidential, non-judgmental and collaborative setting, setting the stage for future cooperation and a positive co-parenting relationship. 

Through a child-focused and interest-driven mediation process, you are able to maintain control over your life’s most important decisions –your children, their future, and your relationship. You are already writing the early chapters of your children’s story of your divorce. In mediation, you write the middle and the end too. 

PRE|POST MARITAL AGREEMENTS

All marriages end – in death or divorce. Without a premarital agreement, the legal statutes and precedent determine the results. Sometimes, these statutes and precedent do not accord with parties’ intentions or personal notions of fairness. Sometimes, they predict unclear and uncertain result, resulting in messy and expensive legal battles. In many family circumstances, a premarital agreement is a reasonable, well-advised, and prudent risk management and estate planning initiative. While negotiating a premarital agreement may not rank high on the romance scale, it is a loving act when done in a fair and balanced manner. 

Through mediation, your mediator will facilitate a dialogue that will help you and your partner better understand your risks, address your respective needs and expectations, and help determine your mutual intentions; and, your lawyers will help ensure the agreement addresses and balances those risks, clarifies your financial rights and obligations, and effectuates your mutual intentions. The process is collaborative, non-adversarial and goal-oriented… inviting both the Head and the Heart to the table.

COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE

Collaborative Family Law is based on a team model approach to your negotiations. Each party has their own lawyer (collaboratively trained and certified) and other neutral professionals depending on the circumstances of the case. The neutrals may include a mental health professional who acts as communications coach and/or financial neutral (CPA or financial planner) to facilitate options for financial solutions. The team may also include child specialists (mental health professionals), real estate professionals, or other jointly retained persons with expertise in the subject matters in issue. The key component of a collaborative divorce is a commitment (in writing) that both parties make to work together to reach peaceful resolution outside of court. The process is confidential and the full team is disqualified from participating in future court proceedings, if the process is terminated before reaching resolution.