Reston Collaborative Law Attorney

Dedicated Collaborative Lawyer for Clients in Virginia

Emotions can run high in family law cases. It can be hard to imagine coming together with your future ex to agree on anything. Whether your case involves divorce, child custody, property division, or another issue, if matters are not settled between parties, the court will take those decisions out of your hands, and you may not like the outcome. Collaborative law is an increasingly popular approach to resolving your disputes, but both parties have to be willing to compromise.

When you partner with Nicole M. Burns, Attorney at Law, Attorney Burns' collaborative law certification and training give you the option to utilize this alternative dispute resolution option. If you believe collaborative law will benefit your situation, we will guide you through it. If not, we are just as capable of supporting you through mediation and litigation. Whichever route you choose, our extensive experience means you will receive exceptional legal counsel focused on reaching a positive outcome that protects your interests.

Understanding Collaborative Law in Virginia Family Law Matters and Divorce

Collaborative law in Virginia occupies a very specific niche in the legal world. By opting into a collaborative resolution instead of traditional or adversarial proceedings, you and your ex can choose to work outside of the courtroom. You sit down in a room with them and discuss all the options you have, frankly and honestly, in the presence of your collaborative lawyers and other experts as needed. From there, you come to agreements on crucial questions like:

• What happens to our family home? If we need to sell, how can we do so peacefully and efficiently?
• How will we manage parenting time? Is there a way for us to decide how to co-parent together that still respects our boundaries and the needs of our children?
• Is there a way to fairly divide our assets, retirement savings, and other investments that protects their value?

By getting to the heart of disputes, parties can find a way to move on that fits their needs without dwelling on unnecessary tension and conflict. You—not the courts—get to be in charge of your life again. This alternative dispute resolution method grants you more control over how and when your divorce, child custody dispute, or other family law matter is resolved.

The collaborative law approach does waive your attorney-client privileges, but that is because each spouse and their lawyers are all working together to reach a common goal. That does not mean your attorney will work against your interests. Safeguarding your interests is our priority.

Although collaborative law is a great solution for many cases, this method of resolving disputes does not work for everyone. We will explain how it could benefit you and your case and help you determine whether it is a good fit for your situation.

Collaborative Law Can Be Better for Your Children

Children of divorce are often significantly impacted by parental conflict. This can be especially true if you have children with special needs. By agreeing to work together toward a common goal instead of fighting in court, you are minimizing the effects for yourself and for your children.

After the dust has settled from your disputes, you and your ex still need to work together to raise your children. If you take your battles to the courtroom, future interactions with your co-parent will be strained at best. That strain can make it difficult to be effective co-parents, and your children may suffer for it.

Call Our Reston, Virginia Collaborative Law Attorney

Nicole M. Burns, Attorney at Law is here to help you resolve your family law issues in a way that makes the most sense for your situation. Contact us online or call us at 703-373-4761 to arrange an initial consultation.