Barney Connaughton

The decision has been made to end your marriage. Now you face a second, important decision – how will you divorce? Chula Vista Attorney Barney Connaughton urges you to consider a "healthy divorce." By taking a creative problem solving approach to the traditional divorce, or by choosing common-sense alternatives like mediation or Collaborative Practice, you can play an active role in your own divorce and work towards a mutually beneficial resolution. He says, "Taking a considerate, sensible, and constructive approach can diffuse the conflict with your spouse, and allow for a much healthier divorce."

Connaughton considers himself a career problem solver, placing his value as an attorney much more on his ability to facilitate a constructive resolution of contentious issues in a case than on his ability to litigate those issues before a Judge. But make no mistake: Connaughton will vigorously defend your rights, should your former spouse not share your desire for a healthier divorce process. Described by one of his peers as "an honest, careful, knowledgeable, and civil attorney who is considerate of both parties but stands up fully for his own client’s interests," Connaughton is fully prepared to advocate for you should the need arise.

Connaughton practices exclusively in the area of Family Law, including divorce, legal separation, paternity, and restraining orders, resolving custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, and property division issues. Trained in mediation, Collaborative Divorce, and as a litigator, he has practiced family law since 1993 and is a member of the Collaborative Family Law Group and the Bar Association of San Diego. He also serves as a Family Law Settlement Judge for the South Bay Branch of the San Diego Superior Court. He serves clients throughout San Diego with family law matters in the South Bay, downtown San Diego, and East County court houses. His office is in Chula Vista and in close proximity to Bonita, National City, Imperial Beach, Otay Ranch, Otay Lakes, San Ysidro, and South San Diego.

Connaughton schedules a complimentary, 30-minute consultation with potential clients to discuss the process and answer any questions they might have about their divorce. This consultation gives him an opportunity to define his family law philosophies so he and the client can determine whether or not they are a good fit. Then, once the client has chosen how he or she wishes to proceed, Connaughton continues with the case, maintaining careful attention and responsiveness to the client’s needs at all times, and securing appropriate referrals to resources on an as-needed basis. "I’m down-to-earth, casual, open-minded, and compassionate," he says. "I’m also very approachable and available to my clients. I focus on effective communication so clients can make informed decisions every step of the way."

With mediation, Connaughton acts as a neutral third party guide, gently and knowledgeably drawing the divorce process towards its conclusion. In Collaborative Practice, he works as both an advocate and a team member fashioning a sensible solution for the family in concert with the Collaboratively trained attorney representing the other spouse. Other Collaboratively trained individuals, such as coaches, financial experts, and child therapists can also be introduced into meetings with the parties and their respective attorneys. An important distinction of Collaborative Practice is that all members of the team agree to resign from the case should it fall out of collaboration and move to litigation. This proviso helps motivate creative problem solving, and removes posturing and threats of taking issues to the Judge

"Both mediation and Collaborative Practice allow divorcing couples to dissolve their marriages in a non-adversarial manner so they can move on with their lives," says Connaughton. When children are involved, these options provide several additional benefits. The children’s needs can be carefully weighed and considered and, if the parents are able to resolve things between them in a healthy way, the children are not subjected to the worst of the emotional trauma present in divorce which arises from the fight after separation. He explains: "In an adversarial divorce, even if the parent has the best of intentions, it’s inevitable that the stress present in this process will trickle down to the children." Another benefit is that when the parties work together to create a solution, they both "own" the outcome. "They’re going to be fine with the decision because they fashioned it, and as a result, so will the children," says Connaughton. Both processes can also offer significant cost-savings over a litigated divorce.

Reflecting on his career as a Family Law attorney, Connaughton says that the most rewarding aspect of his work is helping divorcing couples solve their problems. "I like to diffuse and resolve," he says. "I feel successful if I can do that in a way that minimizes the anguish of the clients and helps them attain a healthy divorce."

For more information, or to book a complimentary 30-minute consultation, please contact:

Barney Connaughton, Attorney at Law
397 Third Avenue, Suite C
Chula Vista, California, 91910
Phone: (619) 425-8613
Fax: (619) 425-8635
www.AHealthyDivorce.com
E-mail: Barney@AHealthyDivorce.com

MasterCard, Visa, and Discover cards accepted.