Recently, we had the privilege of guiding a working mother through a challenging divorce process, demonstrating the power of cooperation and proactive family centered legal services. Our client, a dedicated professional and mother of two young children, reached out to us after her husband filed for divorce in DuPage County. Both parents were initially optimistic about working together on a parenting plan and had even begun practicing a 50/50 visitation schedule informally.

However, complications arose when her husband, following advice from a well-meaning but misinformed attorney, decided to rush into formal court proceedings. This sudden legal action threw our client into a whirlwind of anxiety and uncertainty. She was worried about the costs and disruption of the process, especially since she had hoped to settle things amicably and avoid public court documents.

Understanding her concerns, we stepped in to provide clarity and support. We educated our client about the divorce process and reached out to her husband's attorney to explain our client's commitment to resolving matters amicably. We highlighted that our client was eager to work on the parenting plan and financial disclosures without further court involvement.

We maintained regular biweekly meetings with our client and attended several status conferences with the judge. By keeping the court informed of our progress and our client's cooperative stance, we were able to reassure the judge that the case was moving in the right direction. The judge, recognizing our proactive approach, gave us several opportunities to resolve the case outside of court.

Thanks to our Restorative Divorce practice philosophy, we successfully minimized court involvement. We kept our client's legal fees 35% lower than the average uncontested court divorce by avoiding lengthy discovery disputes, hearings, and trials. Our client was not only relieved but also very satisfied with the outcome. She could continue focusing on co-parenting effectively and advancing her business and investment goals.

This case exemplifies the benefits of choosing a mediator/lawyer who prioritizes cooperation and proactive problem-solving. By working closely with the client, her ex-spouse's attorney, and the judge, we transformed a potentially contentious situation into a manageable, cost-effective resolution.