“My philosophy is that people should be in control of their own destinies: with the right kind of professional guidance, most people can learn to be reasonable and resolve their own disputes without sacrificing their fates to the court system.

"While this is true for all kinds of disputes it is especially important in matrimonial disputes, and particularly so when children are involved. I believe all professionals involved in such disputes have a duty to avoid at all costs acrimonious and protracted litigation which serves only to damage future relationships and consume much of a family’s financial resources.”

Dave Curtis is an experienced lawyer offering mediation and arbitration services for civil and family law disputes. He is also trained and experienced in Collaborative Family Law.

Do not retain a lawyer until you have a clear understanding of your process options, their potential costs, and their expected outcomes.

Dave offers a free 20 minute consultation to discuss which process is best suited for your needs. The process you and your spouse choose will influence who both spouses retain as lawyers.

Most cases do not need to go to court. For a small percentage of cases, court is the only realistic option. For all others, going to court can be the most costly and potentially destructive option of all, particularly, in family law cases, for the spouses and children who inevitably must have ongoing relationships after a separation, even after the children are grown.

The legal system is an adversarial rights-based model that is well-suited to resolving many kinds of disputes. But because it is adversarial in nature it is poorly suited for family matters which tend to be very emotional and often involve children.

People who can learn to cooperate and communicate regarding their dispute or following a separation can create a far better outcome for themselves and their children that is usually more thorough, durable and long-lasting than a court decision or settlement which often involves numerous return trips to court for years afterwards.

Dave Curtis works within the model that suits your particular circumstances to help ensure an outcome that is best for you and your children.