Separation + divorce: you have options
Separation and divorce can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure how to proceed. There are many ways to resolve family law issues, and we’ll help you choose the approach that best fits your situation.
We help our clients navigate:
- Marriage and cohabitation agreements
- Separation agreements
- Divorce
- Parenting arrangements
- Child and spousal support
- Property division
- Adoption
Whatever path you choose, we’ll help you navigate it in a way that reduces conflict and helps your family move forward.
Download our free Roadmap to Success for information and resources on separation.
If you need help with a family law matter, here are six ways we can support you.
1. helping you solve it together
You and your spouse decide how to resolve the issues related to your separation or divorce through direct discussions. We provide legal advice along the way and encourage your spouse to seek their own lawyer for independent advice.
Once you’ve reached decisions, you share them with us and we prepare a formal separation agreement. We may make adjustments to ensure the agreement is clear, complete, and legally enforceable in court if needed.
2. lawyer to lawyer negotiation
In this approach, our office works directly with your spouse’s lawyer to negotiate the terms of your separation or divorce. This process may involve court proceedings, but it does not have to.
For many clients, negotiations between lawyers lead to a mutually acceptable agreement without the time and cost of going to court.
3. mediation
In mediation, you and your spouse meet with a neutral mediator to work through the issues related to your separation. All matters can be addressed during this process. Mediation allows you to stay involved in decisions and work together to create practical solutions in a neutral setting.
Mediation is often a lower-cost option and gives both parties a meaningful voice in the outcome. It can also move quickly. In many cases, meetings can be scheduled within 72 hours of contacting our office, and some matters may be resolved in a two- or three-hour session.
If you would like us to act as mediator, both you and your spouse must contact our office. Each of you will also need your own lawyer to provide independent legal advice before any agreement is finalized.
4. collaborative family law
Like mediation, collaborative family law allows you to take an active role in resolving your dispute. This process goes a step further by creating a formal agreement that sets out how negotiations will take place. The goal is to ensure discussions remain safe, structured, respectful, and focused on resolution.
Collaborative family law includes three key commitments:
- a pledge not to go to court
- an open and honest exchange of information
- a commitment to consider the needs and goals of both spouses and their children
5. court
Court is typically the most formal and expensive option. It may involve preparing and serving legal documents, attending court appearances (which may not always be close to home), travel time, and time away from work and family responsibilities.
Each spouse shares their position with their lawyer. A court case is started, required conferences take place, settlement offers may be exchanged, and if an agreement cannot be reached, the matter proceeds to a court hearing.
In this process, decisions about finances, parenting arrangements, child and spousal support, and division of property are made by a judge rather than by you and your spouse. While court is not usually the optimal way to resolve a separation, unfortunately it is sometimes necessary.
6. arbitration
Arbitration is a private alternative to court. Each party presents their position to an independent arbitrator, who makes a binding decision.
We can help arrange an arbitrator and represent you throughout the process. Arbitration functions much like hiring a private judge, and the outcome has the same legal effect as a court order.
what is collaborative divorce?
Collaborative practice allows separating couples to work with trained professionals to resolve disputes respectfully and without going to court. The process focuses on cooperation, transparency, and practical solutions that support the long-term well-being of the family.
Collaborative divorce is built on three principles:
open sharing of information
Both parties commit to transparency so informed decisions can be made.
a pledge not to go to court
This helps keep the focus on problem-solving rather than litigation.
respectful, goal-focused solutions
Agreements are designed to reflect the priorities of both spouses and the needs of their children.
Not sure which option is right for you?
Contact us to talk through your situation. We’ll help you understand your options so you can decide what feels right for you and your family.