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Collaborative

Law

A Better Path to Resolution

Family transitions don’t have to be defined by conflict. Collaborative Law offers a respectful, supportive way to resolve family matters while protecting relationships. At Mathewson Collaborative Law & Mediation, we help couples and families navigate change with compassion, intelligence, and care—whether preparing for a future together or restructuring life apart.

Solutions That Bring Clarity, Healing, and Hope

Litigation divides. Collaboration builds. Our Collaborative Law services offer a healthier path forward, where open dialogue and informed choices lead to lasting agreements and stronger foundations. With the guidance of an expert professional team, you and your family can reach solutions that protect relationships and shape a positive future.

Prenuptial Agreements

A prenuptial agreement should strengthen your relationship, not create tension. Through thoughtful, collaborative conversations, we help couples enter marriage with clarity and mutual understanding, creating agreements that reflect your shared values and goals while laying a strong foundation for the future.

Postnuptial Agreements

As life evolves—whether through financial changes, children, or shifting priorities—so do the needs of your marriage. Collaborative postnuptial agreements provide a respectful way to clarify responsibilities, protect assets, and set shared expectations, helping couples adapt without conflict or mistrust.

Separation

Choosing to live apart can raise complex questions about finances, parenting, and long-term planning. Collaborative Law offers a respectful framework for co-parenting, financial stability, and clear communication, helping you navigate this transition with stability, confidence, and dignity.

Divorce

Ending a marriage is one of life’s most difficult transitions, often marked by grief and uncertainty. Collaborative Law provides a structured, supportive alternative to litigation, enabling you and your spouse to work together — guided by your professional team — to make informed, creative to make informed, creative decisions that safeguard your future and prioritize your children’s well-being.

Is Collaborative Law Right for You?

This process may be the right fit if you and your partner:

  • Want to avoid the expense, stress, and unpredictability of court.

  • Value privacy and prefer to resolve matters confidentially.

  • Are willing to work respectfully toward mutually beneficial solutions.

  • Wish to protect your children’s well-being and minimize their exposure to conflict.

  • Prefer to retain control over decisions rather than having a judge decide.

This process may be the right fit if you and your partner:

  • Want to avoid the expense, stress, and unpredictability of court.

  • Value privacy and prefer to resolve matters confidentially.

  • Are willing to work respectfully toward mutually beneficial solutions.

  • Wish to protect your children’s well-being and minimize their exposure to conflict.

  • Prefer to retain control over decisions rather than having a judge decide.

The Benefits of Collaborative Law

Clients who choose the collaborative path often experience:

  • A healthier process that reduces conflict and emotional strain.

  • Tailored solutions designed for your family’s unique needs.

  • Lower costs and greater efficiency by avoiding litigation.

  • Durable agreements built on mutual understanding and shared commitment.

  • Preserved relationships, especially important for families with children.

Clients who choose the collaborative path often experience:

  • A healthier process that reduces conflict and emotional strain.

  • Tailored solutions designed for your family’s unique needs.

  • Lower costs and greater efficiency by avoiding litigation.

  • Durable agreements built on mutual understanding and shared commitment.

  • Preserved relationships, especially important for families with children.

What to Expect

The Collaborative Law process is structured, supportive, and focused on achieving lasting, respectful outcomes. The process typically includes:

  • Team Formation – You and your spouse each choose a collaborative attorney, and together we assemble the right professional team. Typically, we’ll work in coordination with a mental health professional and a financial analyst. Often, teams also include a child specialist. Other professionals may be brought on board as needed (for example, business valuation experts, real estate appraisers, mortgage brokers, and vocational counselors).

  • Participation Agreement – Everyone commits in writing to resolve disputes outside of court. Through empathetic coaching and support, we’ll help you navigate difficult conversations and decisions to reach resolution.

  • Open Information Sharing – Transparency strengthens trust, encourages open dialogue between you, your spouse, and your team, making the process more efficient and solutions-focused.

  • Joint Meetings – Structured discussions, facilitated by your team, help navigate emotions, finances, and parenting decisions constructively. Together, we’ll find solutions that prioritize your family’s long-term health, stability, and future.

  • Tailored, Durable Agreements – Once solutions are reached, your attorneys will draft future-focused agreements that reflect your shared decisions and values, and adapt to life’s changes.

The Collaborative Law process is structured, supportive, and focused on achieving lasting, respectful outcomes. The process typically includes:

  • Team Formation – You and your spouse each choose a collaborative attorney, and together we assemble the right professional team. Typically, we’ll work in coordination with a mental health professional and a financial analyst. Often, teams also include a child specialist. Other professionals may be brought on board as needed (for example, business valuation experts, real estate appraisers, mortgage brokers, and vocational counselors).

  • Participation Agreement – Everyone commits in writing to resolve disputes outside of court. Through empathetic coaching and support, we’ll help you navigate difficult conversations and decisions to reach resolution.

  • Open Information Sharing – Transparency strengthens trust, encourages open dialogue between you, your spouse, and your team, making the process more efficient and solutions-focused.

  • Joint Meetings – Structured discussions, facilitated by your team, help navigate emotions, finances, and parenting decisions constructively. Together, we’ll find solutions that prioritize your family’s long-term health, stability, and future.

  • Tailored, Durable Agreements – Once solutions are reached, your attorneys will draft future-focused agreements that reflect your shared decisions and values, and adapt to life’s changes.

Gwen is at the top of my list of attorneys I recommend to clients in need of a collaborative lawyer. She is strong, yet non-confrontational. She assures her clients’ wants, needs and desires are well communicated, yet is not positional. She is creative in finding solutions and has a high level of compassion for all concerned. She is a pleasure and an asset to have on any collaborative team.

— Kelly Deis, CVA, CDFA

A Kinder Way Forward

More Than a Settlement—A Stronger Future.

Every step of our approach is designed to honor what matters most: your peace of mind, your family’s well-being, and your values. Together, we can create a path that protects what matters most and builds a stronger tomorrow.

Schedule a Consultation