when to avoid a 4 way meeting with ex's lawyer

Can my lawyer talk to my ex?

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What is a 4 way meeting?

If held at the beginning of the matter, the 4-way meeting may act as grounds to determine other dispute resolution options such as mediation, arbitration, or in more adversarial circumstances, litigation.

Is a 4 way settlement meeting more expensive than a trial?

However, 4-way meetings will almost always be less costly than going to trial. The disadvantages of a 4-way settlement meeting are that both parties need legal representation to attend.

Is a 4 way meeting required?

First let’s clarify when a 4-Way Meeting is NOT required. If the parties have a full agreement before the pretrial hearing, a meeting is not necessary. That is, if the parties have an agreement on all of the issues and have signed a divorce agreement, the court will generally approve the agreement and the case will end, ...

How does a 4 way meeting work?

How does the meeting actually work? At the 4-Way Meeting, the parties and attorney typically will have exchanged some information, and perhaps financial statements in advance. At the meeting, the attorneys and parties usually discuss the key issues to determine what they can agree on and what’s contested and why .

What is a 4 way meeting in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, parties and the attorneys on a contested divorce are obligated to participate in what’s known in the industry as a “4-Way Meeting” before they can take advantage of an important court hearing known as the “Pretrial Conference.”. It’s called a “4-Way” because there are usually 4 people involved: both attorneys and both parties.

Why is it called a 4 way meeting?

It’s called a “4-Way” because there are usually 4 people involved: both attorneys and both parties. The purpose of the 4-Way Meeting is to provide the parties and attorneys an opportunity to discuss the issues in the case and make an effort to move toward resolution .

Do you have to meet before a pretrial hearing?

If the parties have a full agreement before the pretrial hearing, a meeting is not necessary. That is, if the parties have an agreement on all of the issues and have signed a divorce agreement, the court will generally approve the agreement and the case will end, even if the parties haven’t formally met. However, if there are any issues on which ...

Do divorce agreements end if the parties haven't met?

That is, if the parties have an agreement on all of the issues and have signed a divorce agreement, the court will generally approve the agreement and the case will end, even if the parties haven’t formally met. However, if there are any issues on which the parties do not agree and they need feedback from the judge at the pretrial hearing, ...

What happens if the parties have an agreement on all issues and have signed a divorce agreement?

That is, if the parties have an agreement on all of the issues and have signed a divorce agreement, the court will generally approve the agreement and the case will end, even if the parties haven’t formally met.

Is a four way meeting effective?

Four-way meetings can be effective, but you will get out of them what you put into them. Your long-term goals and interests are the foundation of a four-way meeting, and the more committed you are to making those work the more likely you are to be successful.

How to make a four way meeting work?

How to Make a Four-Way Meeting Work. Four-way meetings can be effective, but you will get out of them what you put into them. Your long-term goals and interests are the foundation of a four-way meeting, and the more committed you are to making those work the more likely you are to be successful. At the core of the four-way meeting is ...

What is a collaborative law meeting?

Collaborative law is the process by which you and your spouse come to an agreement about the division of assets, custody, and support, each with the help of a collaborative attorney. This is a four-way meeting.

Is divorce a drag out?

Divorce is a difficult procedure, no matter how you spin it. But it doesn’t have to be a knockdown drag-out fight that costs each party their life’s savings in attorney’s fees. A collaborative divorce is the name given to proceedings that are, for the most part, amicable.

What is the purpose of a four way meeting?

At the core of the four-way meeting is the idea each party should get what he or she is most interested in keeping.

Is collaborative divorce an attractive option?

It’s important to realize, however, you also must work to keep the environment conducive to reaching solutions. A collaborative divorce is an attractive option for many couples. With the right attitude, you may have an amicable and effective divorce proceeding.

What is a four way settlement conference?

That meeting, in which a property settlement agreement is drawn up, is a four-way settlement conference. The conference could have many moods, depending on the relationship you and your wife maintain during the divorce process. Some of the mood is set (and often softened) by the two attorneys, but the way you feel about the settlement, ...

What is the goal of a four way conference?

No matter what else occurs in the four-way conference, both sides have the same goals: reaching a settlement you both will sign. This means a willingness to compromise. You get to compromise in specific ways: Listen to her side — Her wishes and wants are every bit as important as your own.

What happens if a conference breaks down?

If the conference breaks down, if all you could salvage from one meeting was child custody and child support, at least your children are protected. Children are also usually a reminder that the two of you were able to accomplish some good, so the mood for the rest of the conference can be positive.

What is good faith bargaining?

“Good faith” bargaining is more than a catchphrase. Do not enter a four-way conference with some ulterior motive. Make sincere offers, listen with patience, and allow your attorney to evaluate proposals. One common (and bad) mistake is to speak prematurely, to be dismissive of something the other side offers without first checking with your attorney.

What to do if your wife has children?

If you and your wife have children, make them the first issue. If the conference breaks down, if all you could salvage from one meeting was child custody and child support, at least your children are protected.

What is the most common mistake in Virginia?

One common (and bad) mistake is to speak prematurely, to be dismissive of something the other side offers without first checking with your attorney. Bluntly, most Virginia men are not legal scholars. Your wife’s attorney may offer something that is not on your wish-list, so you instinctively dismiss it.