Positive Consequences

In legal matters we often impose negative consequences to change behavior. However, using positive consequences may in many cases work better. Basically, a negative consequence is a punishment, while a positive consequence is a reward....
March 1, 2013

What is Collaborative Divorce?

Collaborative Divorce is a method for managing conflict without a third party decision maker. We seek to help the parties handle their conflict without causing further damage to the relationship, and to help them transition their spouse/partner relationship into a new form of relationship, particula...
December 10, 2012

What is Fair?

Very often clients say "I just want what is fair." That is a great thought, but the problem is that there can be big differences in what people view as fair. At a conference I attended last week, we discussed four different theories of fairness....
November 16, 2012

Jack and Jill get Divorced

I had a client a while back - we’ll call her Jill. Jill was married to Jack and they had a young son, Junior. Jack ran a successful business while Jill was working on developing her own career. However, a primary focus of both parties’ lives was their son. As parents do, they loved Junior very mu...
October 12, 2012

Seattle Attorney Carol Bailey on Amicable Divorce

Carol Bailey is an attorney here in Seattle with a strong interest in more peaceful divorce processes. In an article in the Seattle PI blog last February, she talked about amicable divorce, making several very good points....
July 27, 2012

Man-In-The-Middle: The Benefits of a Neutral Third Party

Family law matters almost always include a set of conflicting interests and dissenting opinions. In some situations it is necessary to bring in a third party to sort through the wants and needs of the opposing parties and to help make progress with the issue. Mediation and arbitration are two possib...
June 8, 2012

Theories of Fairness

I was recently discussing "fairness" with another divorce lawyer. He explained the concept that there are four different theories of fairness:  they are based respectively on Law, Equity, Needs, and Belief. Fairness based on Law is what we think of most often when we negotiate settlements in divo...
April 2, 2012

FasTrack Divorce™

We have begun offering a new option for resolving cases through a streamlined hybrid method designed to keep costs down. This method was developed by two Seattle area Collaborative attorneys, Virginia Goldberg and Peggy Hoban. From the FasTrack Divorce™ press release: THE SIMPLE AND PREDICTABLE DIVO...
February 15, 2012

Tips For Negotiation During A Divorce

It might be one of the last things you want to do, but being a good negotiator is part of divorce that can help you start a new future. Proper negotiation around issues like who keeps the marital home, financial arrangements, child and spousal support, and more can really make a difference in you...
January 10, 2012