Many family law cases do not fit well within the legal system and can benefit greatly from the emerging collaborative approach to a family’s legal issues.

Collaborative law encourages:

• Future-oriented resolution of family law issues.
• The careful reorganization of the family unit.
• Consideration of the future legal, financial, psychological and personal impact of dissolution.
• Inclusion of neutral professionals in the above fields to address each party’s position.
• Lessening the intense trauma for everyone involved – including the children.
• Maintaining one’s self-respect after the completion of the process.

Collaborative law discourages:

• "Scorched earth" litigation.
• The destruction of a family’s relationships.
• Psychological trauma to the parties involved in the legal matter – especially to the children.
• The “win/lose” philosophy of traditional litigation.
• Solutions rendered by a judicial officer who cannot know the intricacies of your family relationships and who will not have to live with the results of litigating your legal matter.

The collaborative process is voluntary and, in order to work, both of you must agree to work cooperatively. As a result, the terms of the agreement require mutual respect and full disclosure during the process. Armed with the information the team of professionals has gathered, I will help you craft a solution you can live with after the attorneys are long gone. Although the parties work collaboratively, I remain your attorney and represent your interests throughout. Finally, cases that are resolved collaboratively often carry less of a financial burden than those resolved through the court system. Because of the more fluid nature of the collaborative process, my collaborative practice accommodates clients living in Whatcom, Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and King Counties.

The Law Office of Michele M. O’Loane serves Snohomish County.