Your Pittsburgh Divorce Attorney and Family Mediator

Serving clients throughout Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Collaborative Divorce Attorney - David A. Miller

Your family is changing as you divorce or separate. You are not sure where to start the process. If you have children, they are your number one concern. The two most important decisions are:

which legal process to use
which attorney to retain to guide you through the process

To make these decisions, you have to know your options and you have to know who you are hiring.

I am attorney David A. Miller and I can help with the legal issues that arise as you cross the bridge to your new life after separation or divorce.

Pittsburgh can be called the City of Bridges. Just as there are several options to leave the City, there are several options to separate or divorce. The option you select will determine how easily you get to the other side and where you end up. I offer a free 30 minute telephone consultation to discuss your process options. Visit my “Firm” page for information on my 35+ years of experience in Pennsylvania divorce and family law. I know the roadmap for resolving divorce and family law matters in Pennsylvania. Skip the email and feel free to just call me to find out more about your options and whether I can help and, if not, whether one of my family law colleagues can help. The first 30 minutes is free. If you then want an initial consultation, I offer a two hour consultation via ZOOM for $150.00 to discuss the facts in your situation and Pennsylvania divorce, support, and/or custody law and procedure.

Process Options To Avoid Court:

Collaborative Law: Each party hires an attorney trained in the collaborative law process to negotiate a settlement without going to court. The agreement is reached in a series of meetings with the attorneys and, in some cases, collaborative coaches, child specialists, and/or financial professionals. If either side goes to court, both attorneys must withdraw from representing their clients.
Mediation: The parties hire a mediator to help them reach a memorandum of understanding. The mediator cannot provide legal advice so attorneys may still be involved. Mediation can be less expensive than litigation.
Other Negotiated Resolutions: The parties reach their own terms and one party may hire an attorney to draft an agreement. This option can save legal fees, but you risk agreeing to terms without legal advice during the negotiation. You may agree to something that is unfair or legally unenforceable.

Your court options are:

Litigation: The parties hire attorneys to go to court. A judge may ultimately determine the end result. This option is typically the most expensive. It can also damage your family as each side publicly portrays the other side as a bad spouse or parent. Most litigated cases end in settlement and are not decided by a judge. However, many of the agreements are reached on the courthouse steps after each side has spent thousands in legal fees and costs.
Arbitration: The parties hire an arbitrator to hear evidence and make a decision. Arbitration is similar to court litigation in that a third party controls the outcome, not the parties. That is why I consider a court option. The main difference is that the parties hire an arbitrator who hears the case instead of a judge. Arbitration can save time since the parties are not limited by the court calendar.

Your Pittsburgh Divorce Attorney and Family Mediator

Serving clients throughout Pennsylvania

Collaborative Law Process

Mediation

Other Negotiation

Process Options To Avoid Court:

Your court options are:

David Miller Law Offices

Get In Touch