Arlington Divorce Attorney

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    • Collaborative Divorce
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  • Getting Started
    • Legal Consultation and Advice
    • – Legal Intake
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    • – Mediation Intake
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Mediation

As a Mediator, I work with the parties to facilitate communications, develop options for settlement, and move toward a resolution of some or all of the issues between them.
Mediation Lawyer
The role of the mediator is to be neutral (not representing either party). Often the parties are interested in a process that is not polarizing or adversarial. As a neutral, the mediator works to impart balance to the discussions. There are other non-attorney professionals the mediator can suggest to work with the parties and who may be hired as a neutral to co-mediate (such as a co-parenting counselor to assist with parenting issues, or a financial specialist to assist with financial data collection, tax, valuation, etc.)

The mediator can provide legal information but cannot provide legal advice; the mediator does not dictate a settlement; any settlement is an agreement reached between the parties.

The process emphasizes interest-based negotiations that result in a settlement that maximizes the interests of both parties.

If desired, the mediation can result in a formal settlement agreement between the parties.

The parties are encouraged to hire separate legal counsel during the mediation process. The separate counsel may be used to confer with his/her client during or outside of the mediation sessions, to draft or review a written settlement agreement and/or to file any court matter (including incorporation of any settlement agreement reached).

Mediation can enable the parties to do a lot of their work directly while minimizing the time/expense of their attorneys. The use of neutrals can help the parties to understand each party’s perspective and work on an interest-based settlement that may be agreeable to both parties. Using the attorneys in a consulting capacity helps to minimize the adversarial nature of negotiations while still enabling the parties to get the legal advice and be protected legally.





Collaborative solutions for separation, divorce and other family matters.
703.528.1991


  • Collaborative Divorce
  • Lawyer Negotiated Settlement
  • Divorce Mediation
  • Post Divorce Implementation
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Karen Keyes has been selected for inclusion in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers of America in the areas of Collaborative Law/Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Selection to Best Lawyers is based on a rigorous peer-review process.

Arlington Collaborative Law PLLC

2311 Wilson Blvd., Suite 625
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: 703-528-1991
Fax: 703-528-1948
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Collaborative Divorce Attorney and Mediator Serving Northern Virginia (The City of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Stafford Counties) and Washington D.C.
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