Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes Settle Their Divorce with Alternative Dispute Resolution

Congratulations, Tom and Katie! Katie Holmes collaborative law divorce sets another example of celebrity “Alternative Dispute Resolution.” While litigating a case is the traditional way of resolving a dispute, Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”) is exactly that – an alternative to litigation. ADR can take many forms, including Collaborative Law (where both parties hire their own counsel and…

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If Not Irreconcilable Differences, Then What?

Incurable Insanity? Seriously. In California, there are only two grounds someone can site in seeking a divorce, and they’re (1) irreconcilable differences and (2) incurable insanity. That’s been the law in California since 1970 when we became a no-fault divorce state. In other words, you can get a divorce simply because you and your spouse…

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A Divorce Party? Take a Second Look.

After 6 years of marriage and 2 kids, Jack White (front-man musician of the defunct band The White Stripes) and his wife, Karen Elson, are getting a divorce. Know what else they’re doing? They’re throwing a divorce party. Although I’m a divorce lawyer, I still tear up at weddings. When people ask me for help…

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