Robin Williams and former spouse Marsha were wise enough to work with a California no-court divorce option called Collaborative Law.
Robin Williams protected his families privacy, and his dignity, with a collaborative divorce.
In 2008, while working out the final details of his 19 year marriage, Robin Williams told talk show host Ellen DeGeneres: “I think a lot of times divorce can be like circumcision with a weed wacker.” Classic Williams, but how insightful.
California Family Code states “If a written agreement is entered into by the parties, the parties may utilize a collaborative law process…”
That means settling your divorce without the Courts with each party guided by a trained Collaborative Lawyer. Both parties control the final outcome, not an overworked Judge in a public Court proceeding.
‘The Collaborative Law process requires both parties as well as the professionals engaged by the them… to agree in writing to use their best efforts to make a good faith attempt to resolve disputes related to the family law matters on an agreed basis without resorting to adversary judicial intervention.”
Robin and Marsha Williams successfully settled their divorce using the Collaborative Law process. So did Roy & Patty Disney (yup, the major shareholders of the Walt Disney, Co., estimated worth over $1 bill). Madonna and Guy Ritchie were reportedly the first ones to use the process, and it’s believed that Tiger Woods and Elin Nordergen are also using it.
Here are five good reasons why Collaborative Law is helping smart couples avoid the emotionally destructive, unpredictable nature of the traditionally litigated divorce.
- It minimizes harm to both parties and their children by working toward a guided agreeable resolution.
- It gives the family control over the result – something you don’t get from a judge imposing orders.
- Shared experts and the voluntary disclosure of information decreases costs and avoids court deadlines.
- You maintain your privacy. You never testify or step into a courtroom with Collaborative Law.
- Dignity. Both parties conclude the process with their integrity and self respect knowing they did their best for their family.
If I were Arnold, I wouldn’t want to cause any more hurt. I would learn from Robin Williams, and other smart, high profile families and request that the divorce proceed collaboratively. Who knows? Maybe the former California Governor can make better decisions now with his divorce than he did in his marriage.
About the author.
Armine Baltazar Collaborative Law Attorney
Armine Baltazar is a trained Collaborative Lawyer offering creative alternatives to divorce. Her goal is to resolve family law problems with minimum possible impact on a family’s financial and emotional well-being.
Armine belongs to several Collaborative Law organizations, including Los Angeles Westside Collaborative Divorce Professionals. Los Angeles Collaborative Family Law Association and the International Association of Collaborative Professionals.
About Armine Baltazar
Ms. Baltazar was born in Bucharest, Romania, but was raised in the Los Angeles area since the age of three. After graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Political Science degree from UCLA, she went on to attend the UCLA School of Law. During law school, Ms. Baltazar excelled in her studies, receiving the American Jurisprudence Award in Constitutional Law. Ms. Baltazar spend a full year volunteering to aid first year law students hone their skills while she volunteered as a professor's assistant for a "Legal Writing/Lawyering Skills" course.
After graduating from law school, Ms. Baltazar was hired by a major New York law firm where she practiced corporate finance law. Dissatisfied with the impersonal nature of corporate practice, Ms. Baltazar left that arena and quickly turned to family law. Ms. Baltazar has been practicing exclusively in the field of family law since 1999. She is currently a principal at the law firm of Hammers & Baltazar, LLP, with offices in Santa Monica and Newport Beach, California.
Ms. Baltazar is currently a member of the International Association of Collaborative Professionals, the Family Law Sections of the State Bar of California and the Los Angeles County Bar Assocaition, the Los Angeles Collaboriative Family Law Association and the Los Angeles Westside Collaborative Divoce Professionals.
In 2004, Ms. Baltazar appeared on the CBS evening news for her legal commentary with regard to family law. Ms. Baltazar has also volunteered her time as a Los Angeles Superior Court Family Law tour docent, helping other attorneys and non-legal professionals become aware of the family law resources available to them through the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Ms. Baltazar is a graduate of the American Bar Association's Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute. Although primarily involved with family law litigation, Ms. Baltazar prides herself on her and the firm's increasingly growing practice in the fields of mediation and collaborative law. Ms. Baltazar has received training as a mediator and a collaborative law attorney. Ms. Baltazar is committed to helping her clients reach cost effective solutions to their family law problems.
Areas of Practice:
80% Dissolution
20% Paternity
Litigation Percentage:
60% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
40% of Practice Devoted to Collaborative Law and Mediated Settlements
Bar Admissions:
California, 1997
U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1997
Education:
University of California at Los Angeles School of Law, Los Angeles, California
J.D.
Honors: American Jurisprudence Award for Constitutional Law
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, 1993 B.A
Honors: Summa Cum Laude
California State University Northridge, Northridge, 1999
Honors: Dean's List
Professional Associations and Memberships
California State Bar Association Member, Family Law Section Co-Chair of Custody Committe, South 2008 - 2009 Vice Chair of Custody Committee, South, 2007 - 2008 Former member of Financial Issues Committee
Los Angeles County Bar Association Member, Family Law Section
Los Angeles Collaborative Family Law Association Member
Los Angeles Westside Collaborative Divorce Professionals Member
International Association of Collaborative Professionals Member
Former Memberships and Associations:
American Bar Association Custody Committee
American Bar Association Alimony Committee
American Bar Association Marital Property Committee
Santa Monica Bar Association, Family Law Section Member
Past Employment Positions:
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, Associate, 1997 - 1998
Languages:
English, Armenian, Romanian
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