Comparison: Collaborative Law versus Litigation and Mediation

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The Collaborative Law Institute of Texas provides the following table which compares collaborative family law to mediation and traditional litigation:

Collaborative Law

Litigation

Mediation

Comments and Explanations
Each party has independent legal advice

yes

yes

sometimes

 Mediators cannot give legal advice to spouses.  Sometimes (but rarely in Texas) clients will go to mediation without lawyers.  This will work in simple cases, but not in complex cases where parties need advice about their legal rights.
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A Collaborative Option for Family Law Matters

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Please make sure to visit our updated webpage on collaborative family law (http://www.familydiplomacy.com/practice-areas/collaborative-divorce).

Video: Collaborative Divorce from Clients’ Perspectives Part 2

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Collaborative law is a team-oriented alternative to the traditional litigation model.  It allows for the exploration and implementation of creative, flexible solutions while offering an assurance of privacy.

In the video below (Part 2), several clients* in Texas describe their experience with interdisciplinary collaborative divorce.  The discussion is led by Linda Solomon, a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Board Member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, and Trainer at Lone Star Collaborative Training.

If you have questions regarding collaborative family law and you wish to schedule a consultation with a collaborative attorney in Tampa Bay, call The Law Firm of Adam B. Cordover, P.A., at (813) 443-0615 or fill out our contact form.

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Video: Collaborative Divorce from Clients’ Perspectives Part 1

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Collaborative law is a team-oriented alternative to the traditional litigation model.  It allows for the exploration and implementation of creative, flexible solutions while offering an assurance of privacy.

In the video below, several clients* in Texas describe their experience with interdisciplinary collaborative divorce.  The discussion is led by Linda Solomon, a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Board Member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, and Trainer at Lone Star Collaborative Training.

If you have questions regarding collaborative family law and you wish to schedule a consultation with a collaborative attorney in Tampa Bay, call The Law Firm of Adam B. Cordover, P.A., at (813) 443-0615 or fill out our contact form.

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We’ve Moved On Up to Downtown!

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I am excited to report that, as of today, my office has moved to downtown Tampa! This move provides us more space to better serve our clients while placing us within minutes of the Edgecomb Courthouse.

I also welcome Michelle Clark, who will be helping out with administrative matters.

Our new address is as follows:

THE LAW FIRM OF
ADAM B. CORDOVER, P.A.
412 East Madison Street, Suite 824
Tampa, FL 33602

Our e-mail address, telephone number, and facsimile number will remain the same.

Made using Google Maps

Made using Google Maps

Attorney Adam B. Cordover Participates in Police Appreciation 10K Run

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Partners for Life

On May 15, 2011, I participated in the Inaugural Police Appreciation Run.  This event, which was dedicated to officers who had fallen in the line of duty this past winter, started from North Straub Park in St. Petersburg, Florida, and continued along the waterfront and throughout the downtown area.  I completed the 10K in around 1 hour and 13 minutes, which is officially the longest and farthest I have ever run without stopping or walking.

The following is a report from ABC Action News, one of the sponsors of the event, which discusses the race and Officer Jeff Yaslowitz, Sergeant Tom Baitinger, and Officer Dave Crawford:

You may donate to Partners For Life Foundation, which was established by Lorraine Yaslowitz, at the following link:  http://www.active.com/donate/PartnersForLife.

Where Is Your Prenuptial Agreement?

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The following is sound advice from Mark Chinn regarding keeping track of legal documents (such as prenuptial agreements and final judgments):

I recently heard of a case where the parties are in the midst of a divorce and the prenuptial agreement signed by the parties cannot be located.  It may have been part of an “old document purge” by the law firm that drafted it.  I suggest that clients retain the originals of important documents and that they place them in a bank safe deposit box or a home, fire proof, safe.

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Is Florida the Correct State for My Child Custody Issue?

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Under chapter 61, Florida Statutes, a Florida court generally has jurisdiction for a new custody case (such as (i) divorce involving children’s issues/parenting plan, (ii) paternity/ establishment of time-sharing schedule, or (iii) temporary or concurrent custody of a child by a relative) only if one of the following is true:

  • The child has lived in Florida for at least six months immediately prior to the case being filed (even if the child is or has been temporarily absent from Florida);
  • The child has moved from Florida within the past six months, but prior to that lived in Florida for at least six months; or
  • No other state or country has jurisdiction over the child (or the court of the child’s home state or country has declined jurisdiction) and the child has significant connections to Florida.

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How Do I Discuss My Divorce With My Child?

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Once a couple makes the decision to separate or divorce, one of the most difficult steps will be to discuss this decision with a child.  Risa Garon, a licensed clinical social worker, certified mediator, and Executive Director of the National Family Resiliency Center, Inc., provides the following advice regarding how to discuss an impending separation or divorce with a child:

1. Before you tell the children, speak to your spouse and decide what you will tell the children. Both parents should have the opportunity to speak.

2. Say what you think will be most helpful to them. Many parents want to tell exactly what happened in their adult relationship to their children. Parents can explain to their children how what they want to tell them will help them in understanding the separation.

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Ten Tips To Make A Good Impression In Family Court

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Jeanie Goldstein over at the Divorce Saloon provides a female’s perspective on ten things you can do to make a good impression in a family law courtroom:

1. Wear the right colors – by this I mean the right color for you. There is a science to this. When you wear the right color for you, you are more attractive and tend to have a more favorable impression on people. So don’t wear bright yellow if you can’t pull off that color. Don’t wear black if it makes you look depressed. Don’t wear white if it makes you look washed out. That sort of thing. Get the idea? Wear the right color for you.

2. Wear the right outfits – Don’t go into court looking like a trollop or like an ax murderer. It is an important and impactful event, your divorce, and you should dress respectfully. Think Lindsay Lohan. The girl might be clueless about proper life decorum but have you seen her when she has a court appearance? Very ladylike and stylish I must say.

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