Collaborative Law

Collaborative Divorce

Saint Louis Lawyer Cathy Steele

The legal process does not need to be bitter, contentious, and expensive. People with legal issues can work together to find resolutions that are mutually beneficial. Collaborative law is designed to help people who want to settle legal matters in an amicable, less contentious, and cost effective way.

At The Law Office of Cathy Steele, we are full believers in collaborative law. We often encourage clients to find out how much better a divorce can be if they avoid the adversarial litigation process and opt instead for a collaborative divorce. Contact us to learn if it can work for you.

What Is Collaborative Law?

Collaborative law was developed by lawyers who were tired of the adversarial litigation process, in which, especially in divorce cases, each side typically makes outrageous accusations and demands. Typically, such unreasonable behavior only serves to annoy judges and put clients through terrible stress.

In collaborative divorce, the parties agree to each hire a collaborative attorney, with the goal of working out all issues in a divorce. They each sign a contract saying that if they are unable to work something out, the attorneys must withdraw and new attorneys must be hired for trial.

There is a voluntary disclosure of all pertinent information. Both sides work together to create the post-divorce scenario that best meets each party's needs, in terms of child custody and visitation, spousal support, and all other aspects.

We belong to an organization of lawyers who are devoted to collaborative law. Visit the Collaborative Family Law Association Web site for more information.

How Is Collaborative Law Different from Mediation?

Mediation is another effective form of alternative dispute resolution. It differs from collaborative law in that, in mediation, there is an impartial mediator working with both sides to find compromises. Attorneys are typically not involved in the mediation sessions.

In collaborative divorce, the lawyers are present, and there is no impartial mediator. Lawyers not only work with the other side, but also have separate sessions alone with the clients to answer questions and discuss the issues.

Contact Us

Contact us today to learn more about collaborative divorce. We can work with you to discover whether it will work for you; if not, we can help you with a conventional divorce agreement.

Evening and weekend appointments can be arranged.

The Law Office of Cathy Steele, P.C.

225 South Meramec Avenue, Suite 511
Clayton, MO 63105
Phone: (314) 727 – 7551
Fax: (314) 862 – 5626

Clayton, Missouri, attorney Cathy Steele serves clients throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area, including Saint Louis County, St. Charles County, and Jefferson County.