Lawyer-Led Negotiations

The traditional form of lawyer-assisted negotiations are conducted by the parties’ lawyers, primarily through the exchange of correspondence.

Sometimes four-way meetings are held, where both parties and their lawyers can discuss the issues face to face. If an agreement cannot be reached, either party may initiate court proceedings the same lawyers can act as advocates for the parties in court.

While many lawyer-assisted negotiations do eventually result in settlement, the negotiations tend to be focused for the most part on what each side believes a family court judge would decide if the case went to trial. As a result, there is less room for exploring the actual needs, desires, fears and concerns of the individuals involved, and engaging in creative problem-solving.