Collaborative law is a specialized field of law where the parties agree not to litigate but to resolve their case through negotiation and/or mediation. This process requires that the parties be open with each other about the facts of their case and their needs going forward. The parties attend mediation sessions with attorneys who are specifically trained in the collaborative process.
Experts or neutral professionals are frequently relied upon to assist with settlement of financial and custody issues. Only if the negotiation breaks down can parties litigate their case, and, in that circumstance, the parties must retain new lawyers. If you decide that collaborative law is right for you, our firm has two trained collaborative attorneys to represent you: Arlene Starace and Carrie Patterson.