Somerset County Collaborative Divorce Law Attorneys
Collaborative law provides a team approach that emphasizes negotiation and settlement without contentious and costly court battles. In a collaborative divorce or custody dispute, the parties hire attorneys who are trained in the collaborative process, and who are committed to resolving all issues in a non-adversarial way. Other professionals may be added to the team to assist in the collaborative process, but only as the parties and the attorneys agree they are needed. These professionals may be coaches, child specialists, financial advisors, forensic accountants or other experts needed to address specific issues unique to the case.
What distinguishes collaborative law from other forms of alternate dispute resolution is a participation agreement, in the form of a written contract, which commits all members of the team to working collaboratively towards settlement, and which requires both attorneys to withdraw from representing either party if the matter goes to litigation.
Experienced and Trained in Collaborative Law
At the law office of Shimalla, Wechsler, Lepp & D'Onofrio, LLP, we help clients achieve effective solutions to family disputes through the collaborative law process. With specific training and experience in collaborative law, our attorneys provide effective results for solving your legal problems.
Contact us to discuss your family law dispute with one of our experienced Somerset County collaborative divorce attorneys.
Benefits of Collaborative Law Divorce
Collaborative law is a process by which solutions to family law issues are resolved in a series of negotiation meetings. Issues include:
Rather than relying upon a judge to make impersonal decisions about your future in accordance with state guidelines, you are capable of retaining control in the decisions that must be made and in managing the cost of the entire process.
Our family lawyers help clients minimize the expense, trauma, delay and controversy of divorce litigation. We help clients achieve unique solutions in an effective, professional, private and dignified manner.
Who Is involved in Collaborative Law Divorce?
The basic team in a collaborative law divorce consists of the parties and their attorneys. To address specific issues, other professionals may be added to the team, as needed, such as divorce coaches, child specialists and financial specialists. Divorce coaches assist the parties in managing the emotional impact of the divorce and separation process. Child specialists help the parties and counsel understand the needs and concerns of children in custody and parenting issues. Financial professionals can help parties understand complex financial aspects of a case, including the long-term impact of support and asset division, budget analysis and valuation of assets, such as businesses. These professionals join the team only as the parties and attorneys agree they are needed, and their goal is always settlement agreements tailored to meet the unique needs of the parties and the children.
Benefits to collaborative law vs. litigation include:
- Parties and attorneys are committed to settlement
- The process is confidential, so parties' personal and financial information do not become a public record
- The parties and counsel control the timing and scheduling of the process
- Mental health and financial professionals work as part of the team, rather than as adversaries
- Avoids the high cost of litigation
- Focuses on the future and the parties' ultimate goals for themselves and their families
- Allows parties self-determination in making decisions in their children's best interests, rather than relying on a judge to make those determinations
- Encourages an environment of respect and healing, rather than contention and damage
Click here to see Amy Shimalla on Fox 5 News discussing collaborative law.
Click here to view Amy Shimalla's recently published Collaborative Law Article* in the New Jersey Family Lawyer.
Contact Our New Jersey Family Dispute Resolution Lawyers
Contact our Warren Township, Somerset County New Jersey, firm by e-mail, or call 908.922.4238 today to schedule a consultation with one of our Somerset County collaborative divorce lawyers.
*This article was originally published in the February 2011 issue of New Jersey Family Lawyer, a publication of the New Jersey State Bar Association, and is reprinted here with permission.
*Two of our named partners are Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Matrimonial Law Attorneys.
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