That’s something that is a good idea, but it’s not necessary. Sometimes, we’re able to resolve everything and neither party will hire an attorney of their own; they’ll just trust the process that we went through together and feel like they have all the information that they need. They know that I’m an attorney as well as a mediator, so all the documents will be drafted correctly and I’ve followed the law. However, I don’t discourage that. This is a very important thing for divorces, and there’s no harm. It’s a very good idea to have an attorney review what you’ve done or even talk you through the process about if you’re making good decisions, because an attorney is an advocate just for you. The attorney is only going to be looking at what’s in your best interest, whereas a mediator is in a neutral role and can kind of talk about different options but really needs to remain neutral and doesn’t advocate for either side.
Laura Schantz, a Beaverton divorce and family lawyer and mediator has helped clients find creative solutions to complex financial matters involving asset division, spousal support, and child support. To learn more about Laura Schantz and her firm, visit www.oregondivorceattorney.com.
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