Out of Court Solutions

Collaborative Divorce

Separation Agreements

The Collaborative Divorce Process empowers couples to resolve disputes respectfully without going to court. In this process, Irene represents one spouse, and the other spouse is represented by a different Collaboratively-trained attorney. Using a professional team approach, this process takes into account what is important to each spouse

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Separation Agreements

If you and your partner have reached an agreement between yourselves on all issues related to your separation and divorce, one spouse can hire Irene to represent that spouse in drafting the legally binding settlement documents with terms resolving property division, child custody, child support, spousal support and other issues arising out of the marriage. It is important to know that even if you and your spouse are in agreement, the NC State Bar prohibits one attorney from representing both spouses, and therefore only one spouse can consult with and hire Irene to draft the settlement documents.

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Prenuptial, Postnuptial and Cohabitation Agreements

By intentionally planning for the future with a customized Prenuptial, Postnuptial or Cohabitation agreement, you can create an intentional roadmap for your financial relationship and avoid conflict in and costly disputes in the future.

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Irene as your Mediator

Prenuptial, Postnuptial and Cohabitation Agreements

Irene is a skilled NC Dispute Resolution Commission Certified Family Financial Mediator with years of experience resolving family law disputes as a neutral facilitator. Click on the Mediation tab in the navigation bar to schedule mediation.

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Collaborative Divorce

A litigated divorce is a traumatic, costly, antiquated and ineffective way to address the end of a marriage. The court system focuses on dismantling the past, finding fault, and encouraging gamesmanship by declaring one spouse the winner and the other spouse the loser in a public battle. Everyone loses in court, especially children.

The Collaborative Divorce process empowers you to privately negotiate and resolve conflict outside of the court process with the guidance of a skilled team of professionals.

In the Collaborative Divorce process, each spouse is represented by a Collaboratively-trained attorney who is fully committed to a problem-solving approach.

All participants commit in writing to never threaten or go to court.

Through a series of private meetings, you, your spouse, your respective attorneys, neutral experts, as needed, work together in interest-based negotiations to navigate the emotions and conflict of divorce to reach a lasting, balanced resolution.

While divorce is inherently stressful, choosing Collaborative means you have chosen a responsible, cost-effective and highly effective method to transition through the divorce and move forward to the next chapter of your life.

Separation Agreements

Irene is a highly skilled document drafter with extensive experience crafting and negotiating settlement documents that resolve all issues, from simple property distribution matters to complex and nuanced child custody matters. If you and your spouse have already reached an agreement, one spouse can consult with and hire Irene to draft the legally binding settlement documents.

When couples are in agreement, it make sense that the couple would like to consult with and hire one attorney to work with both spouses to draft the legally binding settlement documents. It is important to know that the NC State Bar does not allow one attorney to draft settlement documents on behalf of the couple. According to the NC State Bar, this scenario presents an unwaivable conflict of interest, and all NC lawyers are prohibited from drafting settlement documents for both spouses, even if both spouses are 100% on the same page, cooperative, and in agreement that the attorney would simply be putting the terms agreed on by the couple in a legally finding format.

Irene's intention in her practice is to serve the highest goals of the family and to promote the healthiest resolution possible, so even though she is not allowed to consult with or represent both spouses who need settlement documents prepared, she is committed to working with one spouse to formalize the agreed upon terms directly negotiated by the couple.

Prenuptial, Postnuptial and Cohabitation Agreements

Being intentional by anticipating and planning your financial future in your relationship is a highly effective way to ensure a solid foundation for mutual decision-making, avoiding disagreements, and securing the sustainability of your relationship.

Irene has extensive experience negotiating and drafting Prenuptial, Postnuptial and Cohabitation Agreements. She will guide you on the law and educate you about the various options you should consider in choosing an agreement, teach you how to have the initial conversation about having an agreement in place, draft an agreement that's appropriate for your needs and circumstances, and finalize and walk you through signing an agreement.

Irene as your Mediator

Irene is a certified by the NC Dispute Resolution Commission to serve as a neutral Mediator for parties in a confidential, problem-solving environment. This alternative dispute resolution process is effective and has a high success rate for resolving disputes before lawsuits are filed, or while litigation is in progress to settle all issues and avoid the uncertain consequences of a Judge's ruling.

While couples may have heard or think that Mediation is a "one stop shop" to obtain neutral legal advice, reach a deal, and have it documented, unfortunately, that is not an available option under any circumstances in our State, even if the Mediator and participants want to agree.

The reason is that the NC Dispute Resolution Commission's Rules and Standards and the NC State Bar prohibit all mediators from: (1) providing any legal advice; and (2) drafting legally binding settlement documents. Although Irene is allowed to and will prepare a detailed, written summary of terms agreed upon during your Mediation, it is important to know before you choose the Mediation process that the institutions that permit mediators to help couples reach agreements also limit what all Mediators can do when serving in this role.

Knowing this, you may need to consider hiring your own attorney before or after the mediation to: (1) obtain legal advice and prepare you to negotiate at mediation; and (2) use the written mediation summary Irene prepares during the mediation to draft legally binding settlement documents to formalize and finalize the agreement after the mediation.

Out of Court Solutions

Collaborative Divorce

Separation Agreements

Separation Agreements

Separation Agreements

Separation Agreements

Separation Agreements

Prenuptial, Postnuptial and Cohabitation Agreements

Prenuptial, Postnuptial and Cohabitation Agreements

Prenuptial, Postnuptial and Cohabitation Agreements

Irene as your Mediator

Prenuptial, Postnuptial and Cohabitation Agreements

Prenuptial, Postnuptial and Cohabitation Agreements

Collaborative Divorce

Separation Agreements

Prenuptial, Postnuptial and Cohabitation Agreements

Irene as your Mediator

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