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Virginia Code Title 20. Domestic Relations § 20-179. Appropriateness of collaborative law process

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by FindLaw Staff

Before a prospective party signs a collaborative law participation agreement, a prospective collaborative lawyer shall:

1. Assess with the prospective party factors the lawyer reasonably believes relate to whether a collaborative law process is appropriate for the prospective party's matter;

2. Provide the prospective party with information that the lawyer reasonably believes is sufficient for the party to make an informed decision about the material benefits and risks of a collaborative law process as compared to the material benefits and risks of other reasonably available alternatives for resolving the proposed collaborative matter, such as litigation, mediation, arbitration, or expert evaluation; and

3. Advise the prospective party that:

a. After signing a collaborative law participation agreement, if a party initiates a proceeding or seeks tribunal intervention in a pending proceeding related to the collaborative matter, the collaborative law process terminates;

b. Participation in a collaborative law process is voluntary, and any party has the right to unilaterally terminate a collaborative law process with or without cause; and

c. The collaborative lawyer and any lawyer in a law firm with which the collaborative lawyer is associated may not appear before a tribunal to represent a party in a proceeding related to the collaborative matter, except as authorized by subsection C of § 20-175 or by § 20-176.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Virginia Code Title 20. Domestic Relations § 20-179. Appropriateness of collaborative law process - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/va/title-20-domestic-relations/va-code-sect-20-179/

Read this complete Virginia Code Title 20. Domestic Relations § 20-179. Appropriateness of collaborative law process on Westlaw. Westlaw subscription required.

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