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Litigation Consultations

Our courts, which work fairly well with criminals, personal injury claims, and contract disputes, simply don't handle families in crisis very well.  Litigation, with its rigid rules, is designed to determine who wins, and who loses, through fierce advocacy.  This process does not support communication and problem solving by two people who are trying to agree on how to share parenting responsibilities for their children, or how to untangle and divide the material things that people accumulate during marriage.  As a result, many families are badly scarred, both emotionally and financially, by the terrible battles that are the hallmark of traditional family law litigation.

We recognize that not all cases can be handled by Mediation, or through Collaborative Practice.  Cases involving domestic violence, or when one, or both, spouses cannot be honest with the other, are typical of those which will likely benefit from strong advocacy by a qualified and experienced attorney in a litigation forum.

Mike no longer engages in divorce litigation (other than when he is Court appointed to represent a child).  However, Mike provides valuable advice and legal counsel to those going through a litigated divorce, whether represented by another attorney, or self represented.  For such clients, Mike offers not only sound legal advice, but confidential legal counseling about how to select a divorce litigation attorney; how to be an informed purchaser of legal services; divorce and separation process issues (e.g., whether litigation, Mediation, or Collaborative Practice best suits their circumstances); and coaching clients how to deal with Family Court Services or private custody evaluations and recommending mediation (which occur in some counties, including Sacramento County).

If you are interested in a consultation with Mike, please contact our office for an appointment.