Focus on the Families.
Focus on Solutions.

DOMESTIC RELATIONS

Dissolution: Are you thinking about getting a divorce and want to know the steps involved? Or were you recently told by your spouse, “It’s over”? Regardless of your situation, Gahl Legal Group provides clear answers and develops a targeted strategy.

“Some clients only want information about the legal steps and timeline involved with filing for a divorce so they can make an informed decision. Others desire to handle much of the process directly with their spouse, so we simply review the final paperwork to ensure our clients’ interests are protected. Still other clients, by choice or due to the other spouse filing, are comforted and relieved by us handling the entire process for them.”

Child Custody, Parenting Time and Support: The presence of children in any dispute requires great care. The heart of Gahl Legal Group’s family law practice is protecting those in the center of the action while working toward a successful outcome for you.

“’Focused on Families. Focused on Solutions.’ best describes our approach to child custody, parenting time, and support matters. A positive outcome is only reached when parents acknowledge that their actions and decisions impact more than just themselves. Whenever feasible, we strive to facilitate a workable co-parenting relationship because parents will likely co-parent for years to come.”

Paternity: Whether confronting paternity shortly after the birth of a child or 18 years later, Gahl Legal Group delivers key guidance for resolving your paternity matter.

“Engaging the legal process to establish paternity can be a daunting thought. We focus on supporting the client and making the process as streamlined as possible.”

COLLABORATIVE FAMILY LAW

At its center, Collaborative Law stands for the idea that family law disputes do not have to be adversarial. The experiences of going through a divorce or disagreeing with an ex-spouse over child support are difficult by themselves, so the accompanying bitterness between parties only adds to the emotional scarring. While traditional, old-fashioned approaches can result in mudslinging, Collaborative Law encourages resolution with respect for one another and emphasizes focusing on the parties’ best interests, including any children. Each party retains his/her own Collaborative Law attorney and agrees to proceed using the Collaborative Law philosophy. The parties, attorneys, and other helpful professionals together establish common goals and routes to achieve them.

“It is important for clients to understand that I am still their attorney and representing only their interest. The Collaborative Law approach just affects how the family law dispute is handled. Although hesitant at first because unfamiliar with this option, clients soon appreciate the success, speed, and cost savings of using Collaborative Law.”

MEDIATION

Parties engaged in a family law matter are often aided by – if not required by the Court to participate in – mediation. Mediation is a meeting where both parties (with their attorneys) discuss their important points of the case. The mediator, a neutral, then separates the parties and provides comments about the legal and practical strengths and weaknesses of each party’s position. Rather than attorneys exchanging multiple emails over many weeks, mediation allows for faster negotiations. As a certified domestic relations mediator, Jessica has the training and experience in structuring an agreement that both sides will sign.

“My role as a mediator is to have each party appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of their respective positions. After handling each party’s goals and concerns, I work to establish the common ground and thereby reduce the case to the minimum number of issues. From that point, I remain creative and tenacious until an agreement is reached.”