Collaborative Family Law is an emerging
area of law that allows clients to settle family law cases such as
divorce, separation, parenting and other family law issues, without
the devastating effects of litigation. Two of our Family Law
attorneys,
Michael Ditchik and
Sara Wahl, are at the forefront
of the Collaborative Law movement in King County.
In a Collaborative
Law case, each client is represented by an attorney that practices
Collaborative law. Clients and attorneys, as well as any other
needed professionals, sign a participation agreement that lays out
the process and all parties’ commitment to steering clear of litigation.
Everyone, the two attorneys and the two clients, work together as
a team to seek out options, sometimes creative ones, which address
the client’s interests and concerns.
Both clients share all information
regarding the case, voluntarily disclosing all information needed
to make a fair settlement, both clients make a good faith effort to
look for resolutions that meet all family members’ needs, and all
parties agree to deal honestly and respectfully towards each other.
Essentially both clients are agreeing that they do not want a judge
to make the decisions in their case when they have the ability to
do it without court intervention.
FOUR WAY MEETINGS
Most of
the work in Collaborative law cases occurs in four-way meetings.
A Participation Agreement is signed by all parties at the first
meeting, at which time the parties can address immediate concerns
such as parenting, child support, bills, etc. Meetings are generally
about 2 hours in length, and are held about 3 weeks apart. The
Four-Way meetings continue until a full settlement has been reached.
COLLABORATIVE LAW PROFESSIONALS AND EXPERTS
Sometimes, as in
traditional family law cases, professionals are needed to address
certain issues such as finances, parenting, mental health, real estate,
etc. In Collaborative Family Law cases these professionals are used
on a joint basis to help the parties develop solutions based on their
professional expertise. This limits the cost of having
two professionals in the same area of expertise.
Collaborative Law
provides the clients with the opportunity to reach amicable resolutions,
increased understanding, and cooperation in parenting for the long-term.
To read more about Collaborative Law follow these Links:
http://www.washcl.org/index.shtml Washington
Collaborative Law
http://www.collaborativepractice.com International
Academy of Collaborative Professionals
If the Collaborative Law approach
doesn't sound right for you, then please visit our
Family Law Page to
learn more about the traditional Family Law services we provide.
