[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Going through a divorce can be extremely emotional for all parties involved. When there are children, real estate and/or investments involved, it is extremely beneficial to utilize the family law mediation process to expedite the process and save money.
If all parties involve can agree to commit to mediation, then it is possible to come to a fair agreement often times within 2-3 meetings. For those situations where children as well as complicated investments are involved, we often have meetings dedicated to child custody and meetings devoted to financials. For circumstances with intricate investments, we will often bring in highly vetted financial experts.
Keeping Calm During Mediation
As family lawyers with a combined 45 years of experience, we understand it can be difficult for all parties to stay focused when it comes to discussing child custody and financials. Before emotions from either party get uncontrollable, we will often split the parties into separate rooms in what’s called caucusing.
This method is used typically to fully understand where each side is coming from and gives each party an opportunity to speak their mind, without alienating the other party. Caucusing provides an opportunity for everybody to calm their emotions and focus on the next steps. This also provides mediators time to explain that this is a paradigm shift and the roles that each party played during their marriage, will now be different.
Parenting Plan
The parenting plan before it is submitted to the court is basically a contract and is still enforceable. Once the custody order is entered, we would submit the parenting plan to the court as a consent order (agreement of the parties). Once it has become a court order, then it can be enforced by contempt.
Each family that we deal with is different, so there is never a clear cut answer for a parenting plan. If both parties want custody, then we start by understanding why each parent wants custody.
Both parents have equal rights. One will not have an advantage over the other when determining custody. Decisions by the courts depends more on the roles each played in the child’s life. Ultimately, Maryland courts want what is in best interest of the children and look to see who has been their primary caregiver(s).
Today a lot of parents unlike generations of the past, have been equally involved in the lives of their children. If the parties can’t come to an agreement, then the judge will make the decision and then often times no party comes out happy.
Expedite Your Divorce
If parties can achieve an agreement with a mediator, then they can get through the divorce process faster with substantially less expense. We encourage all parties to be fair and for parents to always put their children first.
The only way each party can have a schedule that they can live with, is if they can put their differences aside and come up with an agreement that is going to offer flexibility for both parents and children. If parties choose to spend thousands of dollars bringing custody and financial decisions to litigation, then again they are not going to be happy with the judge’s decision. If both parties can stay calm and focus on the plan, then they can get through the divorce process faster, as well as save thousands of dollars in attorney fees and maintain a more stable and loving environment for their children.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1596550774746{padding-top: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_custom_heading text=”What Our Clients Are Saying About Us” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]
Great Attorney, Highly recommend to anyone.
Joshua
Judy Beck
Alicia Smollon is a wonderful attorney! She handles herself exceptionally well with the proper tone when needed; calm, aggressive, and assertive when... the situation calls for it. She is easy to speak to and understanding to the uniqueness of each situation. I would absolutely use her again as my attorney!The stuff you want to know about Alicia: timely, fair billing, open communication, and delivers on-time with exceptional work products.read more
Brittany Clack
Simply put... Corrie Boulay is amazing! She is very well-skilled in her craft and I am more than happy with the outcome of my recent case. She... handled the entire process with honesty, professionalism and grace. I am so thankful for Corrie and highly recommend her services to anyone dealing with a Family Law matter!read more
Marlynda
Corrie Boulay has over two decades of experience in family law, which served me extremely well as I went through my divorce. Her knowledge of the... law, professionalism, diligence, and attention to detail ensured that my interests were well-represented and led to a very favorable outcome. Corrie and her team were very responsive and great to work with! I highly recommend her services to anyone with a family law matter!read more
Thomas Cagle
Ms. Alicia Smollon is very professional. Alicia worked on my complicated divorce/child custody case. She was very dedicated and provided me with... timely communication. Alicia always answered all my questions and fought hard for me outside and inside the courtroom. Alicia is very organized and very knowledgeable in regards to divorce and child custody proceedings. I felt very confident and informed in making the best decisions for myself and my child through her guidance and she truly supported me throughout the entire process. I would definitely use her services if needed in the future.read more
Valerie Nowak
Mrs. Alicia Smollon is the most expensive friend i've ever had, and she is worth every penny! I couldnt imagine having gone through this experience... with any other lawyer. She fights for you while also caring for you as a person, not just a client. I will be recommending her to everyone i know.read more
Catherine Oltman
I worked with Alicia Smollon. She was fantastic to work with and always responded quickly. I am very pleased with my outcome during a difficult... situation.read more
Mandy Mascetti
I worked with Alicia and she was always quick, attentive and clear in her communication. I have also consulted with her on going and she continues... to provide the same service for additional family matters.read more
Sarah Hanford
My experience with the Law Offices of Corrie Boulay was excellent. I am a non-US citizen faced with an extremely complex case in Maryland Courts. Ms.... Corrie Boulay and Ms. Alicia Smollon and their team delivered fantastic service for me with excellent outcomes on two different occasions.They were very compassionate, responsive to my case and their fees were very reasonable. First-class Law Firm, excellent, skilled and compassionate lawyering.I was very lucky to have them representing me.Dr. J.ACanadaread more
Nii Oryee
Mary Helton
Alicia was a delight to work with and helped us through every step of the adoption process. Would highly recommend!
Deborah Marshall
If it wasn’t bad enough to have to hire a divorce lawyer, the Law Offices of Corrie A. Boulay, LLC, came to my rescue. I was, and still am, very... impressed with my attorney, Alicia Smollon. Her skills and knowledge regarding the handling of my divorce was extraordinaire. She’s attentive, professional and has a way of making you feel more at ease when discussing sensitive issues. She has been responsive to my emails, as well as all my concerns.read more
Pat Mitchell
Alicia Smollon did a great job helping us with adoption finalization. She was sensitive to our need to complete the process within a certain... timeline, and everything went smoothly.read more
Caryn K
Samuel Payne
love themThey are very family friendly and will do everything to ensure you are treated fairly and respectfully.
Erica Dellinger
I have been using Corrie and Alicia for close to 15 years and have recommended them to family and friends over and over. It was always clear to me... how personally invested they were in helping me and my children. They exhibit the highest level of professionalism and a clear understanding of family law and court processes. They are not cut-throat nor do they stoke emotions for a profit. They are compassionate, intellectual, success driven and seemingly always available. I wished that I never needed their services but I am eternally grateful to have had them supporting me through unarguably the most difficult set of circumstances that I have had to deal with.read more
Mike Walker
Corrie Boulay and her team are very professional as well as caring. They made sure they communicated each step of the process so that I understood... what to expect. I have recommended Corrie Boulay to others who have needed these services.read more
Ann Bromery
This is the second time I have used this Law Firm and both experiences were great! Very knowledgeable about Family Law and very professional during... negotiations. This is the kind of firm you want to represent you!read more
Christine Wilson
Geoffrey Luiz
Really knows her stuff What deafly recommend to anybody that needs an attorney for this type of work
A Google User
jessique gunn
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