Ithaca Collaborative Family Law
What is Collaborative Practice?
“Collaborative [Practice] is the art and practice of settling cases with legal counsel, but without court intervention at any stage.”
– Stu Webb, founder of Collaborative Law
The heart of Collaborative Practice is the belief—shared by the parties and their attorneys—that it is in everyone’s best interests to resolve differences by working them out together without going to court.
All negotiations take place in four-way conferences between parties and their attorneys. Each party has built-in legal advice and advocacy during negotiations and each attorney is committed to guiding their clients toward a reasonable settlement. During the collaborative process no one, neither the parties nor the attorneys, can go to court or even threaten to go to court; settlement is the only goal. However, if despite everyone’s best efforts, negotiations do break down, the parties terminate the collaborative process and either party wants to go to court, both parties must then retain new attorneys.
The attorneys encourage and help their clients communicate what is important to them – their real needs and interests. A safe and confidential environment is established so that each client can openly discuss and consider the needs of each other and the children. The four-way conferences foster creative problem-solving and resolution of the issues in a way that is tailored to the particular needs of each couple.
Two of our attorneys have extensive experience in all areas of Family Law including Divorce, Child Support, Custody and Visitation. In addition, Attorney Steve Flash has been certified to represent Family Law clients in the new and emerging area of Collaborative Law.
Visit the Collaborative Law site at: www.collab-law.com
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
