While laws, court decisions and rules of procedure govern the way a case is processed, a high percentage of all divorce and other family law cases are resolved by way of settlement rather than trial. That does not mean the parties come to us with a final resolution already in mind. It does mean we are frequently able to work with our client and the opposing party and lawyer to come up with a resolution that everyone can live with. In reaching that resolution, it is important to understand the limits of what a judge might order if the case was submitted to the court. There is little incentive for a party to offer more than a judge would order unless something is being offered in return. With that principle in mind, our lawyers are often able to craft creative solutions to difficult family situations.

Some clients advise us that they want to avoid court at all costs, others initially view efforts at negotiation or settlement as a sign of fear or weakness. Neither view is entirely realistic. Certain settlement efforts in advance of trial are required by the courts. In addition, such efforts frequently save the client money in the long run and result in a more predictable resolution than going to trial. However in other cases the demands of the other party may be so unreasonable that a trial may be the only way to reach a fair resolution. We seldom know at the beginning which cases will settle and which cases will need a contested hearing to be completed.

The lawyers at McGuane and Hogan LLP are experienced trial lawyers, having tried hundreds of cases involving all aspects of family law. They are also experienced negotiators and are frequently able to reach a favorable settlement without subjecting the client to the stress or expense of a trial. A key to our success is the knowledge that each case requires the same careful preparation and the same preliminary steps whether there will be a trial or a settlement. By employing that approach we are able to negotiate from a position of knowledge and strength and are able to proceed efficiently in court if the negotiations fail.

Contact a family law attorneyat the Colorado law firm of McGuane and Hogan, LLP.

The family law attorneys at McGuane and Hogan, LLP serve clients throughout Colorado, including Denver, Aspen, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Boulder, Steamboat Springs, Vail, Grand Junction, Adams County, Denver County, Arapahoe County, Douglas County, Jefferson County, Broomfield County, Eagle County, Pitkin County, Gunnison County, El Paso County and Garfield County