You are facing change in your family life. You may not know where to begin in this process. You are seeking advice and representation that you can trust. If you have minor children, you feel concern for them and their future most acutely. As a client you need and deserve competence, communication, and compassion from your attorney.

I am attorney Gail Jansen. I am an experienced family law litigation attorney and a trained collaborative divorce attorney. I have represented clients in almost every type of family law case.

• Competent representation means that I can identify and advise you about the family law issues that apply uniquely to your case. I know and understand family law statutes and rules, and I will guide you through the legal process to achieve a comprehensive and fair resolution of all issues.
• Communication between attorney and client is a high priority for me. My clients receive prompt access to me for answers to their questions.
• Compassion is offered as clients navigate a stressful and uncertain time in their lives. I am here to listen to your struggles and to help you craft solutions that will enable you to go forward positively into your new circumstances. You can emerge from this process with dignity and self-respect.
• Children are the top priority for clients who have them. Their best interest will also be my number one priority.

The legal process choices available to you are:

• Litigation: You hire an attorney to represent you in court. Settlement options are fully explored. If you and your spouse are unable to settle, a judge will decide all issues after hearing each spouse testify and present evidence.
• Collaborative Law: Each spouse hires an attorney trained in the collaborative law process to help you arrive at a settlement without going to court. A collaborative team of attorneys, child specialists, coaches who are trained in mental health, and financial professionals can be used to help the parties reach settlement through a series of meetings. If no agreement is reached, the collaborative attorneys must withdraw and the parties either hire new attorneys, or represent themselves.
• Mediation: You and your spouse could use a mediator to assist you in reaching an agreement. The mediator cannot provide you with legal advice, so you may still want an attorney to review the agreement, and advise you.
• Self-representation: You represent yourself without the advice and assistance of an attorney. Your spouse may either self-represent or hire an attorney. You do not incur legal fees, but you assume various risks. If your spouse has an attorney and you do not, you may be outmaneuvered in either settlement negotiations or in trial. If you settle without the advice of an attorney, you may risk agreeing to something unfair or unenforceable. You may also completely miss key areas that should be dealt with.

For more information on these dispute resolution methods, or for information on any issue particular to your case, you can explore this website further or give me a call to schedule an appointment to discuss your options.