4316 UPTON AVE S, SUITE 202
MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55410
612-750-4843
Collaborative Divorce (also known as Collaborative Practice) offers parties a no-court alternative to traditional divorce. In Collaborative Divorce, husbands, wives and their attorneys agree to resolve all issues of their case in a non-adversarial, respectful manner and without court proceedings.
A traditional divorce proceeding, in the eyes of the law, is a civil lawsuit much like other civil lawsuits. One spouse serves the other spouse with legal documents that ask for everything a court could possibly award them. The process can be emotionally draining, is often quite stressful and can take up to a year or longer to resolve.
Collaborative Divorce offer parties an alternative to traditional divorce that is based on the following three principles:
- A pledge not to go to court
- An honest exchange of information by both spouses
- A solution that takes into account the highest priorities of both spouses and their children (if children are involved)
Collaborative Divorce has become increasingly popular with people who have made the decision to be respectful and cooperate with each other during the divorce process. Collaborative divorce is especially helpful in cases involving children as it helps to prevent the emotional turmoil and conflict that is frequently associated with many traditional divorce cases.
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Attorney & Mediator Randall A. Smith is the founder of Lake Harriet Law Office & Mediation Services, LLC. Mr. Smith earned his B.A. Degree from Hamline University, his J.D. Degree from Drake University Law School and his M.B.A. Degree from the University of St. Thomas.
Mr. Smith has practiced law since 1996 and is licensed in all Minnesota Courts and in United States Tax Court. He is a Minnesota Rule 114 Neutral Mediator for Family & Civil cases and he performs Social and Financial Early Neutral Evaluations (ENE) in divorce cases.
Randall has previously worked at law firms in Minneapolis and in St. Paul. He is a is a mediator with the Hennepin County Courts CHIPS Mediation Program and he coaches Family & Civil mediation training at Hamline University.
He is a member of the Collaborative Law Institute of Minnesota and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.
Please call 612-750-4843 to schedule an office consultation to discuss the benefits of Collaborative Divorce. Convenient day and evening meeting times are offered to fit your schedule.
