Collaborative Law

Although divorce courts have historically been the scene of bitter and expensive litigation, there are other options for resolving a divorce or child custody case.

Around 15 years ago or so, a concept called Collaborative Law gained a following in Kentucky and other states. Mike Rowland, a partner at BRR, was a founding member of the Collaborative Law chapter here in Central Kentucky. The chapter obtained approval from the Bar Association to establish a new way to practice cases. Although Collaborative Law was not ultimately a permanent addition, we learned a lot from the concept. Divorce does not always have to be a hotly contested battle.

In some cases, we might schedule a settlement conference, brew a pot of coffee, and simply negotiate through the various issues that affect our client’s families. Other times, we hire a professional mediator to help facilitate the process. The mediator will not actually make decisions but will host a negotiation session in an attempt to resolve the case out of court. This allows the actual clients to participate and control the decisions, as opposed to turning the issues over to a Family Court Judge.

Certainly, some cases are not appropriate for informal settlement, and our attorneys are prepared and experienced in court battles. However, if folks prefer to try to settle their issues outside of court, we help navigate that process for many clients as well.

If you have any questions about Collaborative Divorce please give us a call at (859) 259-0727 or contact us online today.