Rochester, Minnesota, Family Law Attorneys

Downing, Dittrich & Lawrence

Focused Exclusively on Family Law Issues
507-288-8432
Southeastern Minnesota’s Most Experienced Divorce Law Firm

Attempting to resolve disputes outside the Court process using other formal procedures is referred to as “Alternative Dispute Resolution” or ADR.  Our experienced Family Law attorneys support resolution of disputes by agreements where possible.  Sometimes those resolutions can best be achieved through use of ADR procedures.

In marriage dissolution and child custody situations, the type of ADR that is almost always utilized is “Mediation.”  Mediation involving the parties, and in some situations their attorneys also, meeting with a trained Family Law Mediator.  In these structured meetings which generally extend over three or four sessions of an hour or so each, the mediator assists the parties in focusing upon those issues that need to be resolved and explores with the parties the various considerations and options, in hopes of helping the parties recognize a solution that meets everyone’s needs best.

You may hear or read the terms “Early Neutral Evaluator or Evaluation.”  This is a form of ADR that attempts at a very early stage to assist the parties in determining what a likely outcome of a child custody dispute between them might be.  Child custody trials are time-consuming and expensive.  They inevitably will do harm to the family’s relationships and the child’s interests in maintaining a good relationship with each of his or her parents.  Your child custody attorney can assist you in resolving these disputes with the best interests of your child in mind.

You may have heard the term “collaborative law” or even had someone suggest that you and your spouse use “collaborative law” to resolve issues between you.  The essence of collaborative law is a commitment by parties and attorneys not to go to court under any circumstances.  While in some instances such a commitment might foster parties more readily reaching an agreement, in many instances it may foster “unreasonable” and “arbitrary” positions and behavior, because it removes the option of turning to the Court for a determination of what is reasonable under the circumstances.  Our experienced family law attorneys can advise you whether collaborative law would really serve the interests of you and your family.

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Contact the Rochester, Minnesota, Family Law attorneys at Downing, Dittrich & Lawrence to schedule an appointment to learn your rights and discuss your options.

Downing, Dittrich & Lawrence
Focused Exclusively on Family Law Issues
330 Wells Fargo Center
21 First Avenue Southwest
Rochester, MN  55902
Phone: 507-288-8432 Fax: 507-282-9259
Toll Free: 1-888-DOWNING
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Downing, Dittrich & Lawrence, in Rochester, Minnesota, represents clients facing divorce and other domestic relations issues throughout Southeastern Minnesota, including communities such as Red Wing, Owatonna, Austin, Albert Lea, Winona, Lake City, and Zumbrota.

Olmsted County • Winona County • Steele County • Freeborn County • Houston County • Dodge County • Mower County • Fillmore County • Goodhue County • Wabasha County