Negotiated Settlements

A negotiated divorce settlement is an agreement that is crafted between the two parties with the assistance of their attorneys. Negotiated divorce settlements appeal to couples that prefer to work directly with one another and avoid Court intervention.

Unlike divorce mediation, each party is represented by their own attorney and there is no independent facilitator. A negotiated divorce settlement is also different from collaborative divorce in that it does not require the input and counsel of collaboratively trained neutral professionals. However, for couples who want to negotiate directly with one another, this process can be very appealing. A couple often has a clear understanding of how the marital assets should be divided, how the parenting-time (or visitation) should be shared, and what the family support (either child support or alimony) should be. Well-structured settlement negotiations between the parties can produce mutually beneficial agreements.

In a negotiated divorce, the parties will either negotiate between themselves or, alternatively, use their attorneys to do the negotiating. One of the party's attorneys will craft a negotiated divorce settlement and present it to the other attorney. The attorneys will then negotiate with each other, under the direction of the clients, to reach a negotiated divorce settlement. In a negotiated divorce settlement, it is important for each party to have an attorney with extensive experience.

Lyn C. Conniff has 20 years of experience in negotiated divorce settlements and will work to ensure that your needs and interests are met and that you have a strong voice in the negotiation process.

Lyn C. Conniff Law Offices represents clients within and throughout Chicago. Our Oak Park office typically serves Chicago's western suburban communities, such as Oak Park, River Forest, Hinsdale, Riverside, Brookfield, Oak Brook, Elmhurst, Naperville, and Schaumburg. Our Chicago office has typically served clients from the north side of Chicago, as well as the northern suburbs of Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Glenview, Kenilworth, and Winnetka, and the southern suburbs including Flossmoor, Olympia Fields, and Palos Heights. Contact us for a consultation.