Collaborative Divorce Law

The public, attorneys, and families involved in divorce actions have become increasingly dissatisfied with the limited alternatives available for resolving the custody, placement, and financial issues present in a divorce. Collaborative law addresses the proven need for peaceful resolution of custody, placement, and financial issues through an out-of-court, problem-solving approach. Our team has embraced the growing trend toward collaborative law. Mark Ogle currently serves as the vice president of The Academy of Northern Kentucky Collaborative Professionals, Inc., a nonprofit organization that promotes the use of the collaborative process in family law cases. In Ohio, Mike McNeil is a member of the Cincinnati Academy of Collaborative Professionals and has served as Co-Chair of the Cincinnati Academy.

Utilizing collaborative divorce in a family law action involves a commitment to settling matters without resorting to litigation or threats of litigation. The lawyers chosen by the parties are retained to help them reach a settlement and act more as advisers than as lead negotiators or litigators. The objective is for clients to keep control of the process with the lawyers present as resources. Divorcing couples are encouraged to take a mature, cooperative, noncombative approach to child custody, child support, maintenance, and marital property issues. The couples and their attorneys are committed to reaching an efficient, mutually agreeable settlement of all disputes out of the courtroom. If there is no settlement, then the parties must retain different lawyers to handle the litigation.