Collaborative Family Law Services

What is Collaborative Family Law?

Collaborative Family Law is a process in which both clients and lawyers sign a Participation Agreement pledging that they will not go to court. The clients always have the option of changing their minds, with the understanding that if they decide they need a trial lawyer, they will need to hire an additional lawyer for that purpose. At that point, the Collaborative Lawyer may be dismissed or may stay on the case as a coach or settlement advisor. Collaborative Lawyers recognize that divorce is highly stressful life event that has a profound impact upon children as well as parents. The Collaborative Family Lawyer and client gather pertinent information and develop a tentative plan. They usually meet face-to-face with the other spouse/partner and lawyer to work out a set of agreements in a "Four-Way" meeting. Sometimes they also use mediators. Collaborative lawyers aspire to negotiate based upon the needs of the client and the family, as opposed to using competitive or narrowly legalistic strategies and arguments.

Is Collaborative Family Law for you?

If you are going through a family law proceeding in Minnesota and want to avoid going to court but do not want to negotiate the terms of your divorce without a lawyer's advice and advocacy, Collaborative Law is for you. Collaborative Family Law allows you to stay in control of the process and the decisions, but gives you the added support of an advocate.

What is my approach to Collaborative Family Law?

As your Collaborative Family Lawyer, I will be in your corner. I'll help you clarify your priorities for yourself and your family, and make educated guesses about your spouse's priorities. Together we'll negotiate agreements that are tailor-made for you and your family.

What are the benefits of Collaborative Family Law?

Dignity. You can process your disagreements without having to participate in an adversarial process in which you are cast as contestants in a win-lose competition.

Control. You can negotiate all agreements before anything is filed in court, so you stay in charge of your own calendar.

Support and Safety. Your lawyer is with you, so you don't have to worry about being verbally abused or about "giving away the farm."

Efficient, thorough information sharing. In Collaborative Family Law, participants agree to exchange all pertinent financial information including documents. The lawyer can help you identify all the information you need. The facts are then arranged for you in a cooperative manner.

Quality, durable agreements. The goal is quality, durable agreements -- that is, agreements that work over time.

Tailor-made, creative agreements. When you tailor-make your agreements for your family, you can build in mechanisms to adjust for future changes.

Less costly. Collaborative Family Law is much less expensive than litigation, because the fact gathering is done through cooperation and there are no court appearances.

What if we need additional experts?

Financial, parenting, business and other experts may be used in both mediation and in Collaborative Law. In many cases, mediators and collaborative lawyers will recommend using a neutral expert for financial or parenting issues, because it prevents a "battle of the experts" while giving the parties the benefit of expert opinions.

How do we get started?

For Collaborative Law, simply make an appointment for an initial consultation to decide if there is a "fit" for you. 952-876-4010

Information about Divorce in Minnesota

For information on basic child support court guidelines, see http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/518/551.htm

To view a 90 minute web-based power-point presentation on the basics of mediation, Collaborative Law, mortgages and financial planning in Minnesota presented by three practicing professionals in their respective areas, see predivorce.com