Couple and Family Services: Working together, reaching agreement.
Whether dealing with couples who are in dispute, separated or divorcing, or with family members in conflict over assets, Bob Bordett encourages his clients to brainstorm creative solutions to their differences. This results in greater ownership of the solution by everyone involved, and a greater chance for its success.
Along the way, Bob will provide one or more professional services including financial discovery (documentation/division of income, expenses, assets and debts); organization of finances; budget development; analysis of earning power; identification of personal vs. marital property; creation of alimony and child support models; evaluation of wills, estates, endowments and bequests, etc. Equally important, Bob presents the tax consequences of any decisions his clients may make – consequences they may not know about.
Couples and families have their choice of four settlement methods, based on what will work best for them. A brief summary of each is shown below.
Mediation
As a mediator, Bob enables couples or family members to talk with each other openly, directly and even informally, guiding them to agreement on their financial issues. When mediation is court-ordered, he may also caucus (meet) with each party separately as he continues to negotiate matters between them. At the end of the mediation process, Bob drafts a “memorandum of understanding” summarizing the agreement.
Arbitration
Arbitration is a more structured process. As an arbitrator, Bob serves as a neutral third party, hearing testimony from those involved, their attorneys and others, and issues a binding or non-binding decision. Or he may serve as a financial expert, submitting his findings and recommendations to an appointed arbitrator.
Collaborative
In a collaborative financial negotiation, Bob assists the couple or family members who are represented by their respective attorneys. Following a financial analysis of all disclosed information, he provides comprehensive recommendations that will help the attorneys work together and guide their clients to a mutual agreement.
Integrated
In this streamlined process designed for faster resolution, Bob provides financial analysis and submits a recommended plan. Then one party’s attorney drafts a proposed settlement, reviewed by the other party’s attorney for any revisions. Following their agreement, the couple or family members sign off on the settlement.