For some couples going through divorce, dividing complex property feels overwhelming and quite scary. And, it can generate so many questions and concerns.
It’s a situation that can be rife with emotional turmoil, uncertainty, and sometimes even anger.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. As a divorce lawyer and mediator who has helped many individuals navigate this difficult process, I can tell you that there is hope.
With mediation, it’s possible to find a way forward that respects everyone’s needs and interests.
Of course, that’s not to say that mediation is easy. It can be a delicate dance, one that requires skilled facilitation and a willingness to listen and empathize with each other’s perspectives. It takes time, patience, and a willingness to compromise.
But the benefits can be enormous. Not only does mediation offer a more collaborative approach to property division, but it can also help minimize the financial and emotional costs of a litigated divorce.
And perhaps most importantly, it can help preserve relationships, especially when children are involved.
So if you’re facing a complex property division in divorce, know that there are options available to you. Mediation may not be the right choice for everyone, but it’s worth exploring.
And with the right support and guidance, it can help you find a way forward that honours your needs and priorities, both now and in the future.
Beryl McNeill is a Calgary divorce lawyer who strongly believes mutual respect and understanding go a long way toward resolving family law matters. As a Registered Collaborative Law practitioner in Calgary, she has dedicated her firm to amicable, cooperative negotiation as a means for settling divorces. Furthermore, throughout her law career, Beryl has seen the costs of adversarial negotiations, both financial and emotional. In emphasizing the collaborative approach, Beryl offers her clients a more efficient model that preserves personal and monetary assets alike.
More and more individuals are attracted to resolving their family law matters in a civil, respectful way. Therefore, they come to Beryl from many walks of life—as professionals in the oil and gas industry and their spouses, business owners, and working spouses with children. Clients say that even after a single consultation with Beryl they feel less stressed and more clear about the way forward.
Beryl understands the often fearful, emotional early stages of divorce. Incorporating skills developed from her training as a life coach, Beryl helps clients move beyond their stress response to more logical, creative thinking. Once there, she works with clients to discover what’s truly important to them in attaining divorce. Furthermore, she encourages clients to picture what a successful settlement would look like a year or more down the road as a means of focusing on their goals. By educating and empowering clients, Beryl seeks to transform the way they resolve family disputes—in a more constructive, intelligent and amicable way than would be possible otherwise.
Finally, Beryl is very active with the Family Bar and the Collaborative Law Community. Her involvement provides her clients with the assurance that she has her finger on the pulse of Family Law in Alberta, offering them a distinct advantage in their quest for equity and civility.