Collaborative Law Attorney

Trusted Lawyer Helping With the Collaborative Divorce Process in Richmond and Several Other Nearby Cities and Counties in Virginia

Disputes between family members often involve strong and conflicting emotions that affect the parties. There are several ways to approach and resolve family law issues, including mediation, collaborative law negotiations, other alternative negotiations, or litigation. The same approach does not work for every case. Your attorney can explain these options and help you decide which path you want to pursue. Any type of alternative dispute resolution allows you and the other party to work together outside of court to resolve your issues. This method can be less stressful, and it can save both money and time.

If you decide to use collaborative law, you need to trust your attorney to provide advice and solutions that will protect your best interests. Through more than 45 years of practicing law in Virginia, Carol A. N. Breit, Attorney at Law, has earned a well-deserved reputation for our thoroughness, personal attention, and trustworthiness. Our office is in Richmond, and we serve communities throughout the region, including Henrico County, Hanover County, Goochland County, New Kent County, Powhatan County, and Chesterfield County. When we handle your case, you can rely on us to offer individualized solutions that reflect your goals and best interests.

Understanding Collaborative Law in Virginia

Divorce and all its related issues often involve disagreements that need to be resolved before you can move forward. As an alternative to litigation, collaborative law involves each party and their attorneys, who will agree to settle disputed matters between themselves. Although litigation may sometimes be necessary, including in high-conflict divorce cases, it has several potential disadvantages. Collaborative law, on the other hand, has multiple benefits.

When you rely on the traditional litigation system, you are putting important decisions regarding your future into the hands of a judge who only receives a snapshot of your life. Once the judge makes a ruling and signs your divorce decree, the decisions become enforceable court orders. Even if you are unhappy with them, violating the terms of these orders could result in contempt of court charges and other problems.

You know your children and your circumstances better than a judge. By using collaborative law to negotiate a divorce settlement, you will have more control over the decisions, including:

• Child Custody and Child Support Issues: You and your spouse can work together to address issues related to legal custody, visitation, healthcare costs, educational expenses, and other considerations.
• Parenting Plan: You can work together to determine the best co-parenting arrangements, which may be as unique as needed. This will encourage ongoing cooperation as you raise your children.
• Equitable Distribution of Property: To make sure your divorce decree will protect your financial interests, you can negotiate agreements for ownership of all assets, such as real estate, funds and accounts of any kind, retirement accounts, inheritances, and business interests. You can also negotiate creative solutions to the debts from your marriage.
• Spousal Support: Rather than making a case to a Judge about whether alimony will be appropriate, you can make an agreement with your spouse on the payment amounts and the duration of support.

Litigation can be expensive, especially if you will need to make multiple court appearances and resolve complex issues related to marital property or child custody. A collaborative divorce is usually less expensive and less stressful, because you, your spouse, and your respective attorneys will work together to resolve issues as efficiently and peaceably as possible.

If you have children, it is very unlikely that you will cease to have any relationship with your future ex-spouse. You will need to continue to interact. You will need to discuss matters involving your children. You will probably see each other when transferring parenting time with the children and at extracurricular activities and school. Often, after fighting battles in a courtroom, future interactions may become more difficult and stressful. Since a collaborative divorce will encourage cooperation, it can help you establish a working relationship that will decrease your future discomfort.

Litigation follows legal protocols and procedures, and you must rely on a Judge's calendar to set the pace. This time-consuming process may make you wonder if your divorce will ever be finalized. Collaborative law can produce much faster results.

Call Our Collaborative Divorce Lawyer Serving Richmond and the Surrounding Cities and Counties

When we work together with your spouse and their attorney using collaborative law, we can often help you resolve your issues effectively without the need for a combative approach. This can work in your favor and help you resolve your case more quickly. Call Carol A. N. Breit, Attorney at Law, at 804-282-9226 or contact us online today to set up your initial consultation and learn more about collaborative law.