Childs Law Group Collaborative Law Blog

Press Release on Collaborative Law

2008-03-25T06:05:00.000-07:00

I just released a new press release about collaborative law that discusses the financial benefits of collaborative divorce. I invite you to take a look at it.

I must comment, however, that although you spend a lot less money on worthless rangling, generally collaborative divorce in a whole is not less expensive than regular divorce litigation. If you and your spouse desire, the funds that would be used to pay for costly and ineffective litigating are now directed to activities that give you a return on your investment. These activities include child counselors, divorce coaches, and financial advisors to teach you how to manage your half of the apple when you get it, etc.

So, if you think like a business person might, you can consider that in collaborative divorce, you get a higher return on your investment. You can also choose not to employ the child specialists, financial advisors and divorce coaches and benefit from a much less expensive divorce. Not too shabby if you ask me...

Time Running Out To Sign Up For FWN Luncheon!

2008-02-04T17:02:00.000-08:00

On February 12, 2008, I will be giving a short presentation on Collaborative Divorce during the Fresno Women's Network monthly luncheon. I invite you to attend so that you can gain useful information for yourself, your friends, family or anyone who needs those services for that matter.

Where and When:

Where: Love and Garlic at 5351 N. Diana Court
Fresno, CA 93710

When: February 12, 2008 at 11:30 a.m.
at the Fresno Women's Network monthly luncheon

If you would like to attend, but are not a member of the Fresno Women's Network, contact Anna VanderPoel of our office and we can arrange to have you admitted.

If you are interested in using the collaborative process to get through your divorce without an expensive and drawn-out fight in court, contact us at Childs & Childs at (559) 225-6769 to set up a consultation. Collaborative law is not right for everyone, but our collaborative attorneys, Erin Rhames-Childs and Jerry Childs, can help you determine whether collaborative law is right for you.

Erin Rhames-Childs and Jerry Childs are also Fresno divorce litigation attorneys who provide services for divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, adoptions, guardianships, grandparent rights, domestic partnerships, and domestic violence restraining orders. Childs & Childs is proud to work throughout the Central Valley including cities like Fresno, Madera, Clovis, Kingsburg, Reedley, Selma, Tulare, Hanford, Visalia, Merced, Modesto and Coalinga.

Visit us on the web at www.childsandchilds.com to learn more about your options and to see a better way to move forward in your life.

Collaborative Presentation at the Fresno Women's Network

2008-01-31T12:29:00.000-08:00

Family law attorney, Erin Rhames-Childs, will be giving a short presentation on Collaborative Divorce during the February 12th Fresno Women's Network monthly luncheon. Erin invites you to attend so that you can gain useful information for yourself, your friends, family or anyone who needs those services for that matter.

Where & When

Love & Garlic
5351 N. Diana Court
Fresno, CA 93710
www.loveandgarlic.com
February 12, 2008
11:30 a.m.
www.fresnowomensnetwork.org

What is Collaborative Divorce?

Collaborative Divorce is an innovative approach where a couple agrees in writing to dissolve their marriage with respect, dignity, and honesty. These divorces often resolve more quickly than traditional divorce litigation and for a fraction of the cost. Couples also benefit from the use of trained professionals such as attorneys, financial and child specialists and therapists to reach the best settlement that meets the needs of all involved.

Besides the time and financial benefit of collaborative divorce, the primary benefit is that participants avoid the trauma, character assassination and humiliation that take place during most traditionally-litigated divorces. The collaborative process seeks to preserve relationships. This is done with the idea that most divorces involve children and couples must co-parent for many years after a divorce is done.

If you are anticipating a divorce, or if you know someone who is, please let him or her know this is a new option in the Central Valley and invite that person to attend the February 12th luncheon. This is an alternative that many couples would choose if they knew it was an option. We just need your help to get the word out!

If you are unable to attend the meeting and would like more information or would like to speak to an attorney who can help you, contact Childs & Childs at your earliest convenience. We would be more than happy to sit down and discuss your options with you.

Let's Make Some Lemonade

2008-01-25T14:32:00.000-08:00

Something dawned on me today while I was reading the newspaper. It seems everyone is worried about the economy and pointing out the different sectors that are being influenced by the economic downturn. That really scared me since when it all boils down to it, I'm a businesswoman just like the guy trying to sell a car, or sell a stock. I began to get panicky about what was going to happen to my clients' financial stability which would inevitably affect mine. My heart raced, and I began to get sweaty palms. My mind raced into the future that seemed very bleak.

However, I kept reading and got to the part of the article that talked about the industries that were thriving in this market ... healthcare, foreclosure specialists, and agriculture...all somewhat insulated from the "economy." I thought to myself, "This may be the best thing that ever happened to collaborative law..." Really, that sounds crazy, but if you think aboout it, it makes sense. People are going to continue getting divorced -- in fact, the divorce rate will probably go up. These people, hopefully, will learn of collaborative divorce, and simply because it saves so much money compared to traditional litigation, many people will opt to collaborate. Although motivated by the traditional virutes of collaborative divorce, they will choose this primarily for financial reasons.

Hopefully, through good practice and respect for the process, the attorneys can uphold the collaborative divorce ways resulting in preserved reltationships, the dignity of each party well intact and an absence of financial devastation that is traditional litigation. Just by avoiding litigation, the parties will have saved themselves some much trauma, pain and expense.

So, instead of freaking out like so many of us are, I'm looking at this economy like a great opportunity to get people into collaborative law. It's lemonade squeezed gently, and with dignity, from our lemons...

For more information about collaborative process to get through your divorce without an expensive and drawn-out fight in court, contact us at Childs & Childs at (559) 225-6769 to set up a consultation. Collaborative law is not right for everyone, but our collaborative attorneys, Erin Rhames-Childs and Jerry Childs, can help you determine whether collaborative law is right for you.

Erin Rhames-Childs and Jerry Childs are also Fresno divorce litigation attorneys who provide services for divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, adoptions, guardianships, grandparent rights, domestic partnerships, and domestic violence restraining orders. Childs & Childs is proud to work throughout the Central Valley including cities like Fresno, Madera, Clovis, Kingsburg, Reedley, Selma, Tulare, Hanford, Visalia, Merced, Modesto and Coalinga.

Visit us on the web at www.childsandchilds.com to learn more about your options and to see a better way to move forward in your life.

How do you want to handle your challenge?

2008-01-14T09:25:00.000-08:00

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963.

I believe people are good. I believe people, if they are reminded of who they want to be, will choose to handle their divorce in a manner that would preserve their dignity, and respect for themselves and their spouse. I also believe most people love their children enough to find it in themselves to take the high road and preserve their children from the blood bath that is traditional divorce litigation.

Choosing not to engage in a tedious, expensive, and oftentimes pointless family law litigation is very, very difficult, especially when your children, home, money and identity are at stake. It's the knee-jerk reaction of our modern society. It seems that war is all we know.

However, if reminded of who we wish to be and who we absolutely can be, most will take on the task of collaborative law. There are options now. Which one will you choose?

Presentation of Collaborative Law at the Fresno Women's Network

2008-01-06T21:34:00.000-08:00

On February 12, 2008, I will be making a brief presentation on Collaborative Law to a group of local businesswomen associated with the Fresno Women's Network. This will take place during the group's monthly luncheon at Love & Garlic, 5351 N. Diana Court, Fresno. The luncheon starts at 11:30 and lasts about an hour and a half. During that luncheon, I hope to spread the wonder that is collaborative practice and the powerful impact it is having on our society, business, and our future -- our children.

If you are interested in attending, as well as meeting a group of dynamic business leaders, visit the Fresno Women's Network website.

For more information about collaborative process to get through your divorce without an expensive and drawn-out fight in court, contact us at Childs & Childs at (559) 225-6769 to set up a consultation. Collaborative law is not right for everyone, but our collaborative attorneys, Erin Rhames-Childs and Jerry Childs, can help you determine whether collaborative law is right for you.

Erin Rhames-Childs and Jerry Childs are also Fresno divorce litigation attorneys who provide services for divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, adoptions, guardianships, grandparent rights, domestic partnerships, and domestic violence restraining orders. Childs & Childs is proud to work throughout the Central Valley including cities like Fresno, Madera, Clovis, Kingsburg, Reedley, Selma, Tulare, Hanford, Visalia, Merced, Modesto and Coalinga.

Visit us on the web at www.childsandchilds.com to learn more about your options and to see a better way to move forward in your life.

Divorce Ain't For Sissies: Part Two

2007-12-07T07:39:00.000-08:00

However, when those emotions come up during a collaborative four-way, I'm far more challenged because those emotions could kill the collaborative process. I cannot use them to my client's advantage and I definitely cannot ignore them. Those very powerful emotions must be dealt with -- and that is not easy.

I also see my clients struggle at time with honoring the collaborative way. Not surprisingly, doing the right things is oftentimes MUCH harder than doing the thing you really want -- which is to throw some mud out of pain, anger or resent.

Yesterday, even though it was a difficult session, both clients signed their divorce papers. They did so without going to court, and their children knew very little about the whole process. Very little "blood" was shed between these devoted parents. Our clients had spent a fraction of what they normally would on attorneys fees. That was their choice, one I fully support.

Tears were shed, but the proverbial blood wasn't...We did the right thing. That was really hard, but worth every second of it. I'm proud of our clients and of my collaborative colleague. Nonetheless, buyer beware, this ain't for sissies. Are you up to it? If so, welcome to the collaborative kitchen.

If you are interested in using the collaborative process to get through your divorce without an expensive and drawn-out fight in court, contact us at Childs & Childs at (559) 225-6769 to set up a consultation. Collaborative law is not right for everyone, but our collaborative attorneys, Erin Rhames-Childs and Jerry Childs, can help you determine whether collaborative law is right for you.

Erin Rhames-Childs and Jerry Childs are also Fresno divorce litigation attorneys who provide services for divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, adoptions, guardianships, grandparent rights, domestic partnerships, and domestic violence restraining orders. Childs & Childs is proud to work throughout the Central Valley including cities like Fresno, Madera, Clovis, Kingsburg, Reedley, Selma, Tulare, Hanford, Visalia, Merced, Modesto and Coalinga.

Visit us on the web at http://www.childsandchilds.com/ to learn more about your options and to see a better way to move forward in your life.

Collaborative Divorce Ain't For Sissies: Part One

2007-12-07T06:56:00.001-08:00

One very interesting thought came to my mind yesterday as I was working my way through a collaborative divorce four-way meeting. That thought was, "This is way harder than I thought it would be!" I guess I naively thought that "divorce with respect" meant "an easier way to divorce". That is not so.

Collaborative divorce IS easier when it comes to the honestly, integrity and trust I have with my collaborative colleagues. However, our collaborative clients STILL run the gamut of emotions such as anger, pain, rage and even the "I'm gonna make you pay" emotion. As a litigator, that is just par for the course and I expect it. When I see it during litigation, I try to divert that emotion in a way that will either help my client make it through the quagmire of pain, misery and law, or ignore it.

More to come next week...

If you are interested in using the collaborative process to get through your divorce without an expensive and drawn-out fight in court, contact us at Childs & Childs at (559) 225-6769 to set up a consultation. Collaborative law is not right for everyone, but our collaborative attorneys, Erin Rhames-Childs and Jerry Childs, can help you determine whether collaborative law is right for you.

Erin Rhames-Childs and Jerry Childs are also Fresno divorce litigation attorneys who provide services for divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, adoptions, guardianships, grandparent rights, domestic partnerships, and domestic violence restraining orders. Childs & Childs is proud to work throughout the Central Valley including cities like Fresno, Madera, Clovis, Kingsburg, Reedley, Selma, Tulare, Hanford, Visalia, Merced, Modesto and Coalinga.

Visit us on the web at www.childsandchilds.com to learn more about your options and to see a better way to move forward in your life.

2007-12-03T12:43:00.000-08:00

Are you thinking of getting divorced? Are you in the middle of one and are blown away by the financial devistation you are experiencing? You are not a lone. Most divorces are expensive. On averate, divorcing spouses can end up paying between $5,000 and $30,000 or more in legal fees and court costs.

If a divorce is more contentious, then it is likely to cost more because you may find yourself in court several times to argue about support payments, child custody, the use of your home, or restraining orders, all before you receive a final judgment of dissolution. If your case goes to trial, you will pay even more fees for your lawyer, as well as fees for expert witnesses like accountants and appraisers who are needed explain to the court how much the your property is worth.

One way to avoid that cost is to try collaborative divorce. Basically, it is where two people hire two collaboratively-trained lawyers who facilitate your divorce out of court, for a lot less money and much more quickly than usual. This sounds too good to be true, but it's not. It really does work and is working all over the world.

If you are interested in using the collaborative process to get through your divorce without an expensive and drawn-out fight in court, contact us at Childs & Childs at (559) 225-6769 to set up a consultation. Collaborative law is not right for everyone, but our collaborative attorneys, Erin Rhames-Childs and Jerry Childs, can help you determine whether collaborative law is right for you.

Erin Rhames-Childs and Jerry Childs are also Fresno divorce litigation attorneys who provide services for divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, adoptions, guardianships, grandparent rights, domestic partnerships, and domestic violence restraining orders. Childs & Childs is proud to work throughout the Central Valley including cities like Fresno, Madera, Clovis, Kingsburg, Reedley, Selma, Tulare, Hanford, Visalia, Merced, Modesto and Coalinga.

Visit us on the web at http://www.childsandchilds.com/ to learn more about your options and to see a better way to move forward in your life.

The Financial Cost of Divorce

2007-11-21T11:18:00.000-08:00

So you are considering a divorce, but you do not know much about the process itself except for what you have heard from your friends. You probably have children and a house. Maybe you own a business and you wonder what will happen with all of these things.

Perhaps the principal concern for everybody is the cost of the divorce, which can make people feel that trapped in their situation. While divorces are not cost-free, there are ways of making sure that you get the best value for your dollar.

Divorce Litigation is Expensive: Most divorces are expensive. Divorcing spouses can end up paying between $5,000 and $30,000 or more in legal fees and court costs.

If a divorce is more contentious, then it is likely to cost more because you may find yourself in court several times to argue about support payments, child custody, the use of your home, or restraining orders, all before you receive a final judgment of dissolution. Every time you go back to court, you will incur fees for lawyer’s preparation, time spent in court, and any extra communication with your attorney before and after going to court.

Divorces often settle before trial, but if a case goes to trial, you will pay even more fees for your lawyer, as well as fees for expert witnesses like accountants and appraisers who are needed explain to the court how much the your property is worth.

Even after the trial and the judgment of dissolution, litigation may not be over. You will likely find yourself in court many times in the future to argue over spousal support, child support, and child custody and visitation.

Divorce Takes A Long Time and Time is Money: On top of all those expenses, most divorce cases take at least a year and some can drag on for several years because the divorcing spouses get caught up in the contentious nature of the proceedings. Most people do not intend to drag out cases, but still find themselves involved in the divorce two or three years down the road.

For instance, your spouse might take a stubborn position, sometimes at the behest of his or her attorney, just to see if he or she can squeeze more out of you. You may give in to your spouse avoid a fight. In that situation, your spouse took advantage of your wish to keep it nice. Or, you may simply be unable to pay your attorney to fight your spouse. This is a common strategy in ordinary litigation, but it can be devastating in a divorce because of the emotions involved.

On the other hand, you may fight your stubborn spouse, resulting in a vicious and expensive battle that could have been avoided by more flexible and reasonable approach. You will begin fighting over things that were not important, simply because the atmosphere dictates the fight and neither side wants to back down for fear that the other side will use the moment of compromise to pounce. Before you know it, your divorce becomes an expensive and protracted battle, just like your friends told you it would be.

There Is A Way To Avoid A Long and Expensive Divorce: Fortunately, for most people, there is a way to avoid the conflict and complete a divorce within a much more reasonable length of time and at much lower expense.

Collaborative law is a process that when properly implemented will prevent exactly the kinds of scenarios presented above. It can cost much, much less and take only a few months, instead of several years. Most importantly, it is designed to prevent the contentious and emotionally draining litigation practices by preventing animosity and encouraging cooperation.

How It Works: In the collaborative process, you will begin by recognizing that scenarios like the one described above can happen without their really intending them, simply because of the adversarial nature of the process. The process begins by selecting collaborative lawyers, who are specially trained in the collaborative process. Very few lawyers are trained in collaborative divorce, and because the approach is so radically different, an untrained lawyer will usually be less effective and more expensive.

In response to that terrible prospect, both you and your spouse, along with your collaborative lawyers, agree in writing to be open and respectful, not to take your dispute into court, and not to take unreasonable positions just to see if they can succeed in squeezing more out of the other side. You will openly negotiate the terms of your divorce, making mutual agreements about property division, child and spousal support payments, and child custody and visitation. You will negotiate the agreements together, in a series of meetings with your spouses and your respective collaborative attorneys.

Some collaborative divorces can be completed with just one or two such meetings, others take a few more. Almost all of them are completed within a few months, though, without going to court, without racking up shocking attorney fees, and without using litigation to destroy the you and your spouse’s financial and emotional stability.

Who To Contact: If you are interested in using the collaborative process to get through your divorce without an expensive and drawn-out fight in court, contact us at Childs & Childs at (559) 225-6769 to set up a consultation. Collaborative law is not right for everyone, but our collaborative attorneys, Erin Rhames-Childs and Jerry Childs, can help you determine whether collaborative law is right for you.

Erin Rhames-Childs and Jerry Childs are also Fresno divorce litigation attorneys who provide services for divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, adoptions, guardianships, grandparent rights, domestic partnerships, and domestic violence restraining orders. Childs & Childs is proud to work throughout the Central Valley including cities like Fresno, Madera, Clovis, Kingsburg, Reedley, Selma, Tulare, Hanford, Visalia, Merced, Modesto and Coalinga.

Visit us on the web at http://www.childsandchilds.com/ to learn more about your options and to see a better way to move forward in your life.

**Disclaimer: This article constitutes general information only and is not to be relied upon as legal advice. You should contact an attorney licensed to practice in your state for appropriate legal advice.