Illinois Representation for Collaborative Law and Mediation

Collaborative Law vs. Mediation

Collaborative law is not to be confused with mediation. They are two entirely different forms of alternative dispute resolution techniques. In mediation there is a neutral third party that facilitates both sides and cannot give legal advice, or be an advocate to either party.

Through the collaborative law process, both parties have independent lawyers present during the divorce settlement negotiations. Collaborative law attorneys help their individual clients to make important decisions about their lives and their children’s lives. They provide legal assistance until an agreement is reached and then prepare the necessary paperwork for court finalization.

At Newland & Newland, LLP, we represent clients for a broad range of complex legal matters. If you are considering divorce or need help resolving a family law dispute, our experienced attorneys can offer you effective legal guidance to help you peacefully settle your case with collaborative law or mediation.

Contact us regarding collaborative law or mediation. We are available to serve your family law needs from our 6 different office locations in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Will and McHenry counties. Call to schedule a free initial consultation to speak with one of our attorneys today.

What are the Advantages of Collaborative Law?

Collaborative Law is definitely an area that is increasing in popularity. Traditionally, most marriages are dissolved in divorce court litigation. In general, the collaborative process begins when a collaborative law attorney is retained independently by each party. Couples will try to reach an agreement that is beneficial to the entire family.

Through the collaborative process, the parties meet privately with their respective lawyers and may call upon experts or "team members" to settle their dispute. Team members may in fact be child specialists, financial professionals or other individuals that have been brought into the process in hopes of guiding parties to a beneficial resolution.

If an agreement is NOT reached, the collaborative law process ends and couples must choose to either go to court or start the collaborative law process all over again. In either situation, different attorneys would have to be used, and the experts brought into the original collaborative law case would not be able to testify in court.

Contact Newland & Newland, LLP Today

Contact our law firm regarding collaborative law and mediation. We can help you decide which alternative dispute resolution works best for you.