Mediation& Collaborative Law

Weinberg & Schwartz's philosophy is to obtain an equitable and fair resolution of each client’s individual issues and concerns, keeping the interest of the family as the focal point.

At Weinberg & Schwartz, L.L.C., the objective is to assist each client through a difficult life experience with a goal towards the most optimal form of resolution, either through settlement negotiations, the collaborative process, mediation or litigation. 

Weinberg & Schwartz, L.L.C. attorneys assist clients with the mediation process by fully preparing the client for mediation or attending the mediation sessions with the clients.  Weinberg & Schwartz, L.L.C. also provides mediation services by certified and trained mediators.

A new and highly effective option available to clients is the process of Collaborative Divorce.  Jolie Gelman Weinberg has been trained to assist clients in resolving their cases by avoiding court and working collaboratively with the parties, attorneys and experts in a client/family-focused process.  The Collaborative Divorce process places the emphasis squarely on the family requiring full disclosure in order to comprehensively resolve family issues.   (Explained more completely below)

Because of Weinberg & Schwartz’s family-centered approach, many of the cases settle.  This avoids the necessity of protracted and costly litigation.  However, when litigation is appropriate, the highly-experienced trial attorneys at Weinberg & Schwartz, L.L.C. take all necessary steps to ensure that each client’s case is fully prepared and presented in an aggressive and thorough manner. 

Our client’s desires and goals are Weinberg & Schwartz’s first priority.

What is Collaborative Law?

Unfortunately, our judicial system does not work for millions of Americans.  Anyone who has been involved in a messy divorce case knows that the process can be protracted, expensive and emotionally devastating for the family, there is an alternative way to deal with the divorce process called Collaborative Law.

Collaborative Law is an out-of-court legal process that allows both parties to retain separate, specially trained attorneys to assist the clients in settling their case without court involvement.  Each party’s Collaborative Law attorney works with them to creatively reach an acceptable result.  The lawyers are trained to reach compromises and allow the parties to make decisions that work for their family.  The attorneys and parties commit to work outside the court system, which enhances the chances of a successful settlement.  The Collaborative Divorce philosophy is that it is in everyone’s best interest to work out the issues to arrive at the best positive outcome for the family.  Without litigation as an option, the parties and their attorneys’ have a strong incentive to reach an acceptable compromise.  With full disclosure, the parties save thousands of dollars, avoiding court deadlines, formal court-required discovery, and costly trial preparation is unnecessary.  The result is that the case resolves at a fraction of the cost of a traditional court case.  Moreover, the parties use child specialists, divorce coaches and financial specialists jointly to assist in the process and allow the experts–not the attorneys and judges– to use their expertise to assist the family in ways that work for years to come.  Collaborative Law started in Minnesota, but has spread throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia.  There are now several hundred trained Collaborative Law attorneys in Maryland.  We hope you will consider this innovative, creative and family-centered process as an alternative to conventional litigation.

Links:
CollaborativeLaw.com
CollaborativePractice.com
www.halt.org