1. Divorce: Only Two Options? Presentation by Trail Potter, Potter Law Firm 480-269-5293

2. A Variety of Conflict Resolutions Kitchen Table Mediation Collaborative Law Practice Settlement Conference Trial

3. Kitchen Table Document Prepper Pros: Least Expensive Can work for: No Kids Little Property Manageable Debts Cons: Lack of Legal Guidance Can result in unsatisfactory deal Serious Tax Errors No recourse for bad information

4. Mediation ●Mediation using a trained/certified Mediator, with experience in family law. ●Mediator works on fixed rates for day or half-day sessions. ●Drafts Agreement Incident to Divorce. Pros: Less Expensive - controlled cost Properly Drafted Agreement Legal Guidance Keeps expectations grounded Cons: May not resolve child issues Court is ultimate authority Mediator is Neutral, not an advocate

5. Collaborative Family Law Both Parties and Attorneys agree to Collaborative Divorce Pros: Each Party gets Legal Advice Interest Based Negotiations Shared cost of Expert(s) Faster resolution of Conflict Healthier Family after Divorce More likely to follow own deal Cons: If parties cannot come to agreement and insist on trial, they must hire New Attorneys. Shared Expert

6. Court Ordered Settlement Conference Experts for Each Side ●Divorce Petition Filed and Answered ●Temporary Orders in place ●Discovery Complete ●Prepared for Trial Pros: Each Party gets Legal Advice Court is Actively Involved Nec with allegations of abuse Children may have own Atty Discovery Process for Complex Estates Cons: Approaching cost of Full Trial Expense of Competing Experts Adversarial Process

7. Trial Less than 1 in 50 Divorces go to Trial! Pros: Court officials oversee entire process Court can deal with serious risk to children, addictions, abuse, and criminal activity Can involve Guardianship for children Cons: Trial costs begin at $20,000 per side, and quickly escalates Fate entirely in the hands of the Court “Losing” Party Less Likely to Follow Orders!

8. Kitchen Table Mediation Collaborative Law Practice Settlement Conference Trial Control over Outcome Amount of Guidance

9. ● Your attorney should present all practical conflict resolution options. ● Not all conflicts are right for each resolution strategy. ● Divorce is NOT the end of the conflict; it’s the beginning of the rest of your Life Lawyer’s Duty to Clients:

10. Trail Potter J.D. South Texas College of Law Texas Licensed Mediator (TX C.P.R.C 154.052) Potter Law Firm 480-269-5293 trailpotter@hotmail.com