On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Child Custody on Friday, June 17, 2016.
If you are considering divorce or are in the midst of a proceeding, it is likely that will be ordered to attend a settlement conference. Similar to mediation, a settlement conference is an opportunity for the parties to sit down and get to the heart of the issues to see if any of them can be resolved.
Because of the high cost of litigation, family courts relish these opportunities. It also provides a chance for people to resolve their differences and preserve relationships that they will need in the future.
This post will provide some helpful tips as you prepare for your settlement conference.
Know what your attorney can and can’t do in this meeting- In a settlement conference, your lawyer is not supposed to be the buzzsaw you hired him or her to be in standing up to your ex. Instead, your attorney will be more of an advisor.
Think critically about costs – Inherently, in litigation there is a clear winner and a clear loser. The downside is that the loser leaves completely demoralized. On top of that, they may owe some money in attorney’s fees. To avoid this scenario, you may have to think critically about how much it would cost (financially and emotionally) to get what you want at trial.
Leave your emotions at the door – As we have noted in prior posts, divorces are supposed to be more like business transactions. Since these transactions are supposed to be made dispassionately, you should leave your emotions at the door. After all, a settlement conference is not the venue to raise new accusations or fight about what you want.
