A contested divorce or custody issue is always a costly event. It is very likely that these cases will end up in a full court hearing, often costing both parties in the law suits tens of thousands of dollars. It is always best to try to work with your attorney and the parties attorney to reach a settlement before going to court to avoid these costs.

Collaborative law is a process by which the attorneys for both parties work together, often with the parties in the room, through a series of meetings to try to resolve the divorce in a peaceful and respectful manner. Collaborative attorneys will discuss this alternative form of legal representation at the initial meeting, plus they will provide information on their website.

Before hiring a divorce law attorney, check them out through Martindale-Hubbell or a similar rating service. Martindale-Hubbell rates attorneys by ethical standards and general ability all over the U.S. and abroad. The best rating for any attorney is AV.