Carol F. DelzerFounder &

Attorney-Mediator

Family Law Center was founded to

assist people in resolving the issues surrounding divorce as peacefully and painlessly as

possible.

We handle more divorce mediation cases than any other practice

in the greater Sacramento area.

$ $$ $$$ $$$$$ $$$

t Alternatives in the Divorce Process

Limited Legal Services:

For clients who represent

themselves, but utilize an attorney

for specific services, such as reviewing legal documents or

for legal advice.

limited legal services mediation collaborative cooperative litigation

Mediation: An affordable

alternative where a mediator acts as

a neutral third party who helps define and settle legal and other difficult issues

limited legal services mediation collaborative cooperative litigation

Collaborative:A structured

process to express and resolve

conflict in a non-adversarial

environment; the objective is

settlement, not trial.

limited legal services mediation collaborative cooperative litigation

Cooperative:A process with the

features of a collaborative divorce that

retains the option of going to court

if absolutely necessary

limited legal services mediation collaborative cooperative litigation

Litigation:An

adversarial process that turns to the

court to solve

problems

limited legal services mediation collaborative cooperative litigation

Comparing Divorce Alternatives

limited legal services

mediation collaborative practice

cooperative litigation

Settlement Oriented or Adversarial,

Depending on the Parties

Settlement Oriented; Affordable

Settlement Oriented; Affordable

Settlement Oriented if Clients and Attorneys Cooperate

Adversarial; Often Costly to

Go to Court

Settlement Oriented or Adversarial?

t Alternatives in the Divorce Process

Comparing Divorce Alternatives

limited legal services

mediation collaborative practice

cooperative litigation

Parties Represent

Themselves

Neutral Third Party

(Mediator)

Each Spouse Has Own Attorney

Each Spouse Has Own Attorney

Each Spouse Has Own

Attorney in Court

Level of Attorney Involvement

t Alternatives in the Divorce Process

Comparing Divorce Alternatives

limited legal services

mediation collaborative practice

cooperative litigation

Provides Legal Document Review and Preparation

Focuses on Problem Solving

Client-Focused Problem Solving

Legal-Oriented Problem Solving

Focus is on Grievances, Blame and

Winning

Process Emphasis

t Alternatives in the Divorce Process

Comparing Divorce Alternatives

limited legal services

mediation collaborative practice

cooperative litigation

Helps You Retain Control

over Case

You Maintain Control & No

Court Appearance

You Maintain Control & Usually No

Court Appearance

Attorneys Keep Control

and Use Court When Needed

Court Appearance &

Gives the Judge Control

Who Gets to Decide?

t Alternatives in the Divorce Process

t Keeping the Cost Down What Will

This Cost? How Can We

Keep The Costs Down?

How Can We Keep the Cost Down? “Divorce Done Differently” begins with a client and one of our attorneys making every reasonable effort to establish an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation between all parties. In this environment, we usually find we can arrive at cooperative solutions and preserve each spouse’s dignity, resulting in lower conflict -- very often at a reduced cost.

What Will This Cost? Factors influencing what a

divorce case will cost include the level of cooperation from both parties and unforeseen issues that arise during the divorce.

There are many things a client can do to reduce the pain of divorce for you and your family. Our attorney-mediators have many years of experience helping clients minimize the emotional toll of divorce.

What About the Emotional Costs?

To Minimize Emotional Costs, We Help People…

#1 Transition from Marriage Partners to “Parenting Partners.”

#2 Gain the other parent’s trust by keeping agreements and promises.

#3 Learn to keep money issues and children issues separate.

#4 Understand that saying bad things about the other parent hurts children, who love both parents. #5 Let small irritations about

theother parent go. Stick to the big concerns and you’ll get more respect.

To Minimize Emotional Costs, We Help People…

#6 Learn to avoid putting children in the middle of adult disputes.

#7 Be positive role models for children. Focus on making the best of things and so will your children.#8 Learn to cooperate. A

cooperative environment between parents make children feel safe. #9 See that having

relationships with both parents is key; children suffer when divorce disrupts a relationship.

#10 Believe that simple courtesy often is the best answer. Legal battles rarely help. Learn to get along.

t Other Issues Our Attorneys Can Handle

Unmarried Parents Domestic Partnerships Settlement Option Analysis Cash Flow and Support Estate Planning- Wills and Trusts

Interfacing with Financial Advisers

Working with Other Specialists

Q & A

“Divorce Done

Differently”

Q & A