Collaborative Law
The attorneys at Lieblich & Grimes, P.C. believe in the collaborative model of divorce proceedings as an alternative to the traditional adversarial litigation model, which can be destructive to families both psychologically and financially. Two of our attorneys, Carolyn Grimes, and Christina Smith, are trained members of the Collaborative Law Society of Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia (see the Jurisdictions page for all Virginia jurisdictions where we practice).What is Collaborative Law?
Collaborative Law is a process whereby clients hire their own attorneys who are trained in the collaborative model, and then both clients and lawyers contract with each other to negotiate a settlement instead of litigating. The clients and attorneys meet together as many times as necessary to reach a settlement. If the negotiations do not work, the clients must find new attorneys (a rule designed to keep matters from escalating towards litigation). The process is designed to reduce costs and the strain of engaging in “total war” with your spouse, especially when children are involved. A key element to the arrangement is honest disclosure of all relevant financial and other information and documentation needed for the settlement.
Another key component of the collaborative model is the engagement of non-lawyer experts such as financial planners, pyschologists, counselors, appraisers, et cetera, who are also trained in collaborative dispute resolution and who can help clients deal with all of the issues related to their settlement. Lieblich & Grimes, P.C. has access to an extensive network of such professionals with whom we work in many of our collaborative and other divorce cases.
How do I learn more about Collaborative Law?
We would be happy to discuss the collaborative law process with you further at your initial consultation. You can also review the Collaborative Law Society’s web site at www.co-divorce.com or call 1-888-END-KNOT for more information, a brochure, and a list of participating attorneys and other professionals.
We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.