Out of Court Solutions and Contract Drafting Services

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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 reached an agreement between yourselves, one spouse can consult with and hire Irene to draft the legally binding settlement documents on behalf of that spouse.  

When couples are in agreement, they often think that they can 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.  The NC State Bar mandates that 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.  This scenario presents an unwaivable conflict of interest, and therefore only one spouse may hire Irene to draft settlement documents on behalf of that spouse, and the other spouse can choose to obtain independent counsel.

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 can only consult with and represent one spouse in the preparation of settlement documents, she is committed to working with one spouse to formalize the terms the couple has worked out themselves.

During marriage, issues can arise that require a well-crafted contract to address and ensure clarity, healthy communication, and solid expectations moving forward in the relationship.

Having a Postnuptial Agreement in place can be an effective tool to solidify concerns with regard to property issues, and especially estate-related rights for surviving spouses.

Irene has extensive experience negotiating and drafting Postnuptial Agreements. She will guide you on the law and educate you about the various options you should consider based on actual circumstances you have encountered in your marriage.  She will provide options for having a customized agreement in place to ensure stability and clarity on the issues so you can move forward in your relationship with ease and peace of mind.

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 walk out with a legally binding agreement, unfortunately, this is not an available option under any circumstances in our State, even if the Mediator and participants 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 the services all Mediators can provide 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.