Choose your best way to move forward with separation and divorce

 

Beginning a new chapter in your life through separation and divorce often comes with many emotions and challenges, especially when you have children. By taking control of the process, you can minimize the impact and move forward with your dignity and your parenting relationship intact.

Your process

The process you choose to resolve your separation and divorce will determine how long it will take and how much it will cost. Using the courts is always the most stressful and expensive process, and if you have children, it has the greatest potential to damage your ongoing parenting relationship.

At Tran Law Corporation, you have several alternative dispute resolution options available to you. The best process for you will depend on the complexity of your situation and the level of conflict between you and your spouse. Alternative dispute resolution requires that you and your partner voluntarily commit to handling your matter outside the court.

Out-of-court processes offer faster, less expensive solutions and protect your privacy. Court procedures and records are open to the public.

Collaborative law process

The collaborative process uses a supportive team approach that addresses all aspects of your separation and divorce.

Mediation

A neutral mediation professional facilitates an agreement between you and your spouse that you will then take to independent lawyers before signing.

Negotiated settlement

This process involves discussions and correspondence between lawyers and meetings with you and your spouse.

Kitchen table settlement

You and your spouse will work out most of the separation terms on your own before a formal legal agreement that your independent lawyers will review.

Your team

meeting with divorce lawyer

Whatever process you and your spouse choose to resolve your separation and divorce, you will each need to retain your own legal counsel. The lawyers you choose will determine the processes available to you.

Collaborative law and mediation require lawyers trained and certified in these practices.

If the lawyer working for you or your spouse has a litigation approach, they will focus on using the court for your resolution. This is an adversarial path that amplifies conflict.

Trained and certified in both collaborative law and mediation, my focus at Tran Law Corporation is on helping you to find dignified solutions that reduce conflict and are cost-effective.

Your outcomes

woman with a dog considering divorce

When you and your partner choose an out-of-court resolution process using the right lawyers, you can determine the outcome. You won’t have a stranger (a judge) making decisions for you, your family, and your children.

The solutions available to you in family law for separation and divorce are wide-ranging. As long as you and your spouse agree on the terms and they fall within the law, you can generate whatever solutions fit you and your family.

Separation + Divorce FAQ

The first meeting is a consultation. It is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and for me to understand your goals and concerns. We will discuss options for your next steps.

After the meeting, you might want to take time to think about the options we discussed, or you might know your path and want to retain (hire) me right away.

If you do not think Tran Law is the right fit for you, or I do not think it’s the right fit for you, there is no obligation or commitment after the first meeting.

I would rarely need less than one hour to gather the information that I need and give you meaningful information and options to consider. If we use less time, we can discuss what to do with the remainder as part of retaining Tran Law Corp. If you need more time, we can schedule another appointment.

Your options will depend on whether you and your partner have the same goals to resolve your matter respectfully and quickly while minimizing costs.

At the end of our first meeting, you should have a good idea of the options available. As a start, review the Your process section above.

I can still help you. The collaborative law process will not be an option if your spouse does not agree to it or their lawyer is not trained.  However, we can still work cooperatively towards resolution through a negotiated settlement. You can read more about that option in the Your process section above.

These are the two most common questions and are difficult to answer. They depend on factors such as the complexity of your matter, the level of communication and conflict between you and your spouse, the process you choose, your spouse and your spouse’s lawyer, and their approach to problem-solving.

The cost depends on how much I will need to work on your matter. I charge $275.00 per hour plus GST and disbursements. I can give you a cost estimate after our first meeting once I have more information about your matter. The length of time depends on how quickly you, your partner and their lawyer respond to issues. This extends to other service providers that you may need information from (such as pension administrators or business valuators).

If you need to cancel or reschedule, you can let me know via our contact options.