Collaborative Divorce Lawyer in the Chicago Area
Helping People Through Divorce Using the Collaborative Law Process
Collaborative divorce attempts to avoid the traditional, adversarial process of going to court. Our experienced legal team encourages our clients to use the tools of collaborate divorce, mediation and negotiation whenever possible to reach a common sense, cooperative divorce settlement.
Advantages of Collaborative Divorce
- Collaborative divorce often results in more satisfactory dispute resolution, based on working together toward an agreement that both parties are happy with.
- It takes less time than going to divorce court. Many collaborative divorce settlements can be reached in just a few meetings
- Collaborative divorce promotes solutions rather than obstacles
- It puts you in charge, not a lawyer or judge. You know your situation best. Your lawyer knows you. A judge knows the least about you. Why let a judge decide?
- Collaborative divorce allows you to address a wider range of issues than you could in court.
- It results in a divorce agreement that satisfies both parties because you personally help to define the terms.
- People who have used collaborative law report being more satisfied with the process and the resolution.
Collaborative Law Myths
- Differences in power or assertiveness between partners creates a disadvantage. We have found this to be untrue. Both partners have trained lawyers that make the playing fields equal.
- Expert opinions can’t be used. Battling experts can be a tremendous problem in a traditional courtroom divorce, where the two party’s financial or custody experts can often say different things. Collaborative divorce creates an environment where both parties agree on the same experts, and they pay only once for the expert opinion.
When Collaborative Law is Unlikely to Work
- If you suspect your spouse of hiding assets or lying about income or property, a traditional approach will be needed to ferret out accurate financial information.
- If past abuse makes it uncomfortable for one partner to be in the same room as the other.
If either of these situations applies to you, the law offices of Michael L. Shevick can still help you. Mr. Shevick has many years of experience in Illinois divorce courts and can effectively represent you.
Contact Our Chicago, Illinois, Firm Today
Schedule a consultation with collaborative law lawyer Michael L. Shevick. Contact our Chicago office online or call 312-269-4600. For your convenience, we accept Visa and MasterCard.
