Let A San Francisco Collaborative Divorce Lawyer Resolve Your Case Out Of Court

Collaborative divorce – also called collaborative law or collaborative practice – gives couples the means of working together in a cooperative, nonadversarial process to reach the best result for themselves and their children. At Katherine Shlaudeman Law and Mediation Practice, I guide clients through the collaborative process so that they can reach lasting agreements civilly and respectfully. I am ready to help you through your divorce in a way that may save you time, money and the emotional toll of going to court.

I bring over 15 years of family law experience to each case and client, including extensive experience and training in collaborative law. While I can represent clients in litigation when necessary, I am a strong believer in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods that promote cooperation and reduce stress for all involved. If you believe collaborative law may work for your divorce, I am committed to helping you find an amicable solution.

Divorce Can Be A Peaceful Negotiation

In collaborative divorce, each spouse hires an attorney, and all four work together toward a resolution that serves both of their interests as well as those of their children. All of the issues dealt with during a traditional divorce are addressed, including the following:

• Child custody and visitation
• Child support
• Asset distribution
• Division of marital debt
• Sale or possession of the marital home
• Temporary and post-divorce spousal support

Rather than submitting disputes to a judge for a decision, the couple and their attorneys work privately in a manner that gives the couple the power to determine their own future. The final proposal will only be submitted to a judge for approval. I and other collaborative law attorneys understand how to structure divorce agreements to minimize the potential for objections by the court.

There Are Numerous Potential Benefits With Collaborative Divorce

The advantages of collaborative divorce are many:

• Additional privacy: Since the agreement is worked out in private rather than in court, much less personal information goes into the public record. This is especially beneficial for high net-worth clients and public figures who place a premium on discretion.
• Time savings: Couples may reach resolution more quickly in a collaborative process than in litigation, which often requires multiple court appearances and formal discovery.
• Cost savings: A divorce obtained in a collaborative process may be less expensive than one obtained through litigation.
• Less emotional turmoil: Litigation often escalates conflict and may have an emotional toll on the parties. In a collaborative process, a couple is provided with a constructive way of working together that may even allow them to maintain a cordial relationship after the divorce.

ADR methods like collaborative divorce and divorce mediation can be particularly advantageous for divorcing couples who have minor children together. You will need to transition from being spouses to being co-parents – a role that you will assume until your children reach adulthood. It is far more difficult to build an effective co-parenting relationship following a highly combative divorce. By promoting open communication and mutually beneficial agreements, however, collaborative divorce and mediation can foster a healthier co-parenting partnership.

Is Collaborative Divorce Right For You?

For a collaborative divorce to succeed, an atmosphere of trust must be created. It requires voluntary cooperation from both parties. Instead of each spouse trying to “win” the divorce, they must have a shared goal of reaching fair and mutually beneficial resolutions. Spouses must also be transparent and honest in their financial, and other disclosures.

Collaborative divorce and other litigation alternatives are typically not possible for couples with a history of domestic violence or emotional abuse. The power imbalance and threatening nature of one or both spouses make it nearly impossible to negotiate freely and equitably. Even if there is no history of one partner abusing another, couples in high-conflict marriages are generally not good candidates for alternative dispute resolution methods.

If the collaborative process doesn’t work for you, you can transition to another resolution process. You and your spouse would hire new attorneys, and the discussions you had in the collaborative meetings would remain confidential.

Contact Me Today To Discuss Your Options

If you believe the collaborative divorce process could work for you, call Katherine Shlaudeman Law and Mediation Practice at 415-413-4488 or contact me online to schedule a consultation. I’ll give you all the information you need to move forward to a more hopeful future. My firm serves clients in San Francisco and the surrounding counties of San Mateo, Santa Clara and Alameda. Services are provided virtually, saving you time and travel.