to doing the best for my clients that I can and caring about their problems and their needs, in a relaxed, comfortable setting
-Bob Ramsdell
What is Collaborative Divorce
WHAT IS COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE (AND WHAT IS IT NOT)?
- It is a method of handling divorce cases designed to lead to settlement with an minimum of acrimony between the parties.
- It is voluntary on all
parts. Both parties and both attorneys must agree, in writing, to use collaborative divorce. Certain cases or certain clients may not be appropriate for use of Collaborative divorce.
- Most attorneys practice collaborative divorce anyway. For most cases, it is merely formalizing what we have been doing on an informal basis.
- The key to Collaborative Divorce is that the parties and their attorneys must agree at the outset that the case will be settled, not contested. If
the case cannot be settled, both attorneys must withdraw. It is anticipated that withdrawal will be a very rare event, as most cases settle anyway and the additional aspect of mandatory withdrawal will make
contests even more rare.
- A Collaborative Divorce contains the following elements:
a. No contested court hearings. Even temporary
arrangements will be negotiated.
b. Both sides must make full and complete disclosure
and fully cooperate with all reasonable discovery
requests on an informal basis.
c. No formal discovery.
d. No "attack" letters, threats or intimidation.
e. No
unilateral appraisals. All appraisals will be joint.
6. Advantages of Collaborative Divorce:
a. It will attract clients who want/need a divorce, but
are terrified of the cost and/or the process harming
their children.
b. It will avoid the unnecessary costs to clients which
are incurred by trial preparation costs when the
case settled short of trial.
c. It v/ill avoid the emotional costs incurred when a
party attempts to intimidate the other with threats of
going to trial.
d. It will lead to more satisfied clients, who will be
more pleased with the process, more pleased with
their lawyer and more willing to pay fees.
7. Disadvantages of Collaborative Divorce:
a. Lawyers will make less money from inefficient use
of their time, arising from trial preparation for cases
which settle and unnecessary formal discovery and
court hearings.
b. The occasional, but rare, necessity to withdraw from
a case, even though the lawyer believes that the
other side is being unreasonable.
WHAT DOES RAMSDELL LAW OFFICE DO?
Divorce Over the years, the law has become more and more complex. I have often been distressed at the cost to the client, both in terms of finances and the tremendous emotional havoc the process can cause, when going through divorce. That's why I offer Collaborative Family Law and "Divorce Mediation" services. ..... more here
Mediation I have received training sponsored by Dane County Bar Association in the special skills required to mediate disputes. This section of the website is designed to better educate clients regarding legal mediation. For your convenience, I have arranged it in a Question & Answer format. Just click on the question, and you will be be taken directly to the appropriate information. ..... more here
Adoptions I have done adoptions since graduating from Law School in 1974. I was fortunate to do what might have been the first totally confidential private adoption proceeding in the state of Wisconsin. I am one of about three attorneys throughout the state that developed the procedures now used for 20 years to assist people in adopting children. ..... more here
Criminal and Traffic Law As part of my law practice since 1974, I have assisted people who get themselves into problems with the police. This legal assistance is, to me, an extension of assisting people and their families. ..... more here
