Practice Areas: Collaborative Law
In addition to our practice in traditional divorce litigation, Pittsburgh Attorneys Bernadette Staroschuck and Liberty J. Weyandt offer our clients the option of obtaining a divorce Collaboratively. Collaborative Law is an alternative dispute resolution process in which divorcing couples work together with specially trained attorneys to resolve disputes respectfully, without going to Court. The process can incorporate the use of trained child specialists, counselors, divorce coaches and other financial professionals who all work together to help achieve the priorities and goals of both spouses. Issues of divorce, equitable distribution, custody and support can all be handled collaboratively.
The process takes place in a series of orchestrated settlement meetings, during which time the parties and counsel work together to prioritize interests, gather relevant factual information to make informed decisions and creatively resolve conflicts.
Many couples find that there are several advantages to a Collaborative Divorce which can include: control over the priority of issues to be addressed; control over pace of the process; personal ownership over the final agreement; it can effectively address the needs and interests of children and co-parenting skills can be gained; privacy is better maintained; overall cost can be less and the general stress of litigation in Court is eliminated.
For more information about Collaborative Law, please read the article, "Collaborative Law - A Family Friendly Option To Traditional Divorce Litigation," which appears in the Publications section of our web site.
Our attorneys are committed to helping families in transition cope with the realities of divorce in a manner which preserves respect of the parties and which considers the best interest of the children, whether through traditional litigation or collaborative practice. Please see the Attorneys section for a complete review of Ms. Staroschuck's & Ms. Weyandt’s credentials.