Collaborative Divorce
The decision to divorce is always a difficult one. There are several paths that you can take and collaborative divorce is one of them. The goal of collaborative divorce is to come to a mutually acceptable, negotiated settlement between two parties without the threat of going to court. In this practice, each of the parties retain their own collaborative attorney who will
gather information, provide education on rights, responsibilities and options, and negotiate on their behalf. At Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, LLP, we’ll always provide our clients with personal attention throughout every step of the process to ensure that the best possible outcome can be achieved.
Our Approach to Collaborative Divorce
Collaborative practice is a new option for divorcing couples to resolve disputes respectfully without going to court. It promotes consideration and places the needs of children first and retains control of the process with the parties. At the center of collaborative practice are the needs of the entire family, especially the children’s. With collaborative practice, conflict is kept to a minimum so all family members can move on positively with their lives.
Collaborative practice is a good choice when each party prefers to have his or her own independent attorney guide them through the legal process. At Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, LLP, we will always do our best to advocate for you in order to obtain the most amicable outcome possible in such a difficult situation. Contact our law firm for more information.
How Collaborative Divorce Works
In collaborative practice, each spouse retains his or her own attorney and the team of four work together in a cooperative series of four-way team meetings that are non-adversarial. The team has as a goal of meeting the mutual interest of a fair and equitable settlement, which addresses the interests and concerns of both parties, as well as their children. If the participants ultimately are unable to agree, the collaborative divorce attorneys withdraw and litigation attorneys can be retained to take the matter to court. At the start of the collaborative process, all parties must sign a contract stating that they will withdraw from the process if they decide to go to court. If you’re thinking of a collaborative divorce, reach out to our attorneys who are familiar with the complicated and nuanced ways that the process works.
What Is Collaborative Divorce?
The decision to divorce is always a difficult one. There are several paths that you can take and collaborative divorce is one of them. The goal of collaborative divorce is to come to a mutually acceptable, negotiated settlement between two parties without the threat of going to court. In this practice, each of the parties retain their own collaborative attorney who will gather information, provide education on rights, responsibilities and options, and negotiate on their behalf. At Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, LLP, we’ll always provide our clients with personal attention throughout every step of the process to ensure that the best possible outcome can be achieved.
Our Approach to Collaborative Divorce
Collaborative practice is a new option for divorcing couples to resolve disputes respectfully without going to court. It promotes consideration and places the needs of children first and retains control of the process with the parties. At the center of collaborative practice are the needs of the entire family, especially the children’s. With collaborative practice, conflict is kept to a minimum so all family members can move on positively with their lives.
Collaborative practice is a good choice when each party prefers to have his or her own independent attorney guide them through the legal process. At Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, LLP, we will always do our best to advocate for you in order to obtain the most amicable outcome possible in such a difficult situation. Contact our law firm for more information.
How Collaborative Divorce Works
In collaborative practice, each spouse retains his or her own attorney and the team of four work together in a cooperative series of four-way team meetings that are non-adversarial. The team has as a goal of meeting the mutual interest of a fair and equitable settlement, which addresses the interests and concerns of both parties, as well as their children. If the participants ultimately are unable to agree, the collaborative divorce attorneys withdraw and litigation attorneys can be retained to take the matter to court. At the start of the collaborative process, all parties must sign a contract stating that they will withdraw from the process if they decide to go to court. If you’re thinking of a collaborative divorce, reach out to our attorneys who are familiar with the complicated and nuanced ways that the process works.
FAQs About Collaborative Divorce
What is collaborative divorce?
It’s an alternative to traditional, adversarial divorce litigation in that it allows willing spouses to amicably resolve their issues.
Why should I choose a collaborative divorce?
The collaborative divorce process is often shorter, more cost effective, more informal, and allows you to openly resolve your disputes.
How many people will be on my team?
The good news is that they can be. The bad news is that it’s not common. We will present the most compelling case possible to convince the prosecutor to drop the charges.
How long will a felony conviction show up on my background check?
You will have at least one lawyer, as will your ex-spouse, and various other professionals may be employed, like therapists, mediators, and child therapists.
How long does a collaborative divorce take?
It moves at your pace, but a collaborative divorce usually takes eight to fourteen months to complete.
Why should I choose collaborative practice over mediation?
During mediation, both parties have one neutral mediator. In collaborative practice, each party has an attorney who advocates for their individual concerns.
Our Family Law & Divorce Attorneys
When you’re going through a tough time, you need a full team on your side. Our five-attorney firm has all of the resources to attend to our clients’ needs.
John J. Gilligan, CFLS |
John J. Gilligan, CFLS has practiced family law for 39 years and handled over 7500 family law matters. He sits on the Family Law Executive Committee for the Los Angeles County Bar and donates several hours of his time each month to the court system as a mediator and Judge Pro Tem.
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Janine M. Frisco |
Ms. Frisco’s first preference is always to mediate spousal, financial and custody issues, she is also a staunch advocate for her client’s and a relentless opponent in a court of law. Ms. Frisco regularly litigates complex trials, acts as a mediator for both parties, and collaborates when the parties pursue collaboration.
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Kristin Trutanich |
Kristin Trutanich is a trial attorney with over 13 years of litigation experience. Prior to joining Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, Ms. Trutanich was a Deputy District Attorney with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. As a Deputy District Attorney, she tried over 70 jury trials involving domestic violence etc.
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Michael Sarris |
Michael Sarris specializes in California family law with extensive experience in the areas of child support, child custody and visitation, spousal support and community property division. Mr. Sarris founded the Law Offices of Michael Sarris.
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Wendy K. Tse |
Family law attorney, Wendy K. Tse, has practiced family law exclusively since 1998. Ms.Tse specializes in and has extensive experience with matters pertaining to California divorce, contested custody disputes, child support, spousal support etc.
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Our Family Law & Divorce Attorneys
When you’re going through a tough time, you need a full team on your side. Our five-attorney firm has all of the resources to attend to our clients’ needs.
John J. Gilligan, CFLS |
John J. Gilligan, CFLS has practiced family law for 39 years and handled over 7500 family law matters. He sits on the Family Law Executive Committee for the Los Angeles County Bar and donates several hours of his time each month to the court system as a mediator and Judge Pro Tem.
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Janine M. Frisco |
Ms. Frisco’s first preference is always to mediate spousal, financial and custody issues, she is also a staunch advocate for her client’s and a relentless opponent in a court of law. Ms. Frisco regularly litigates complex trials, acts as a mediator for both parties, and collaborates when the parties pursue collaboration.
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Kristin Trutanich |
Kristin Trutanich is a trial attorney with over 13 years of litigation experience. Prior to joining Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, Ms. Trutanich was a Deputy District Attorney with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. As a Deputy District Attorney, she tried over 70 jury trials involving domestic violence etc.
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Michael Sarris |
Michael Sarris specializes in California family law with extensive experience in the areas of child support, child custody and visitation, spousal support and community property division. Mr. Sarris founded the Law Offices of Michael Sarris.
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Wendy K. Tse |
Family law attorney, Wendy K. Tse, has practiced family law exclusively since 1998. Ms.Tse specializes in and has extensive experience with matters pertaining to California divorce, contested custody disputes, child support, spousal support etc.
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100+ YEARS COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE
Our Law Firm’s History
Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, LLP, was co-founded by John J. Gilligan, who has been practicing family law in Long Beach since 1981. Janine M. Frisco is also a partner, as is Kristin Trutanich. Together, they are the area’s most comprehensive legal stronghold.
GFT has helped individuals and their families surmount their legal difficulties for the past several decades. We are proud to serve Southern California, and have the dedication and experience required to handle every type of issue.
The Team of Attorneys
You’ve Been Looking For
Our experienced team of professionals will guide you through life’s murkiest waters. At Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, LLP, we have the resources needed to represent clients in all aspects of family and criminal law.
The Team of Attorneys You’ve Been Looking For
Our experienced team of professionals will guide you through life’s murkiest waters. At Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, LLP, we have the resources needed to represent clients in all aspects of family and criminal law.
Office
Locations
We have two offices conveniently located in Long Beach & Palos Verdes. We represent clients in courts throughout Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties.
Long Beach Office
One World Trade Center, Suite #1740
Long Beach, CA 90831
Telephone: (562) 431-2000
FAX: (562) 431-2100
Palos Verdes Office
2516 Vía Tejon, Suite 309
Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
Telephone: (310) 237-9001
FAX: (562) 431-2100