A new alternative to dispute resolution, Collaborative Divorce allows you to divorce with dignity, respect, and cooperation. Each spouse retains a lawyer to act as an advisor, and they conduct settlement negotiations with their lawyers by their sides so that client ownership of the process is combined with legal protection. The process may also include other professionals, such as therapists, financial planners, etc. Both parties and their professionals agree to be cooperative, forthcoming, and willing to work together to achieve a resolution. If you can't reach agreement, both lawyers (and their law firms) must withdraw. The fact that there's no room for litigation during the process ensures that the participants are truly committed to reaching a reasonable settlement.

By choosing Collaborative Divorce to settle your divorce, you'll enjoy these advantages:

• Lower costs
• Less stress
• Create win-win solutions
• Learn creative problem-solving techniques
• Retain control over your future
• Avoid court
• Protect your rights, your assets, and your family
• Divorce with less bitterness, anger, and conflict

Our firm is a smaller family law firm by choice, and operates efficiently and effectively on behalf of California families in Sacramento County. We offer collaborative practice and mediation services for families in Sacramento, Placer and Yolo Counties.

Pauline is an experienced family law litigator, mediator, and collaborative law practitioner. Named a Super Lawyer by Los Angeles Magazine, she has a caring, results-oriented approach to all divorce-related issues, including: support, local and international child custody (including Hague Convention proceedings), finance, business interests, and property. Serving L.A. and Orange Counties, she regularly serves as a mediator for the L.A. Superior Court.

Shawn, an attorney and mediator, has received special training in both mediation and Collaborative Divorce. He strives to resolve difficult issues such as alimony or visitation in an unthreatening and confidential environment and believes the collaborative approach can help ensure that result occurs.

Cathleen Collinsworth is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, A Forensic Accountant and a Business Valuator Accredited in Litigation. She has been practicing in the field of Family Law for the past 12 years.

For more information about Collaborative Practice, contact one of the professionals listed above or visit CollaborativePractice.com.