Business Details
12 Years
experience
Trusted Divorce Mediation & Collaborative Law Services in Westport, CT
As an experienced attorney and mediator, I specialize in guiding families through divorce with dignity, preserving assets, and protecting children. With a background in tax law and over two decades of experience, I provide tailored solutions for complex financial situations while prioritizing emotional well-being. My practice emphasizes non-adversarial methods like collaborative divorce and mediation, ensuring confidentiality and cost-effectiveness. I hold memberships in prestigious organizations including the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and have advanced training in interdisciplinary collaborative divorce.My commitment to client-centered service is reflected in personalized legal coaching and a track record of positive outcomes highlighted by client testimonials. I operate in Connecticut and New York, offering complimentary consultations to help clients navigate divorce with clarity and compassion.
Services
Collaborative Divorce
Divorce Mediation
Legal Coaching
Prenuptial Agreements
Family Mediation
Postnuptial Agreements
Child Custody Guidance
Asset Division
Spousal Support Negotiation
Court Document Preparation
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- Specialized expertise in tax and real estate law for complex financial divorces
- Collaborative team approach with financial and emotional specialists
- Confidential, court-free processes preserving family relationships
- Advanced interdisciplinary collaborative divorce training
- Complimentary initial consultations with flexible scheduling
Associations and certifications
- Collaborative Divorce Attorneys of Fairfield County
- Collaborative Divorce Professionals of Fairfield County
- Connecticut Council for Divorce Mediation
- Connecticut Bar Association
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
What people say
Amazing listener
Calm presence
Fair resolutions
Expertise in complex cases
Highly recommend
Services
Collaborative Divorce
Collaborative Divorce resolves family disputes through cooperative negotiations with legal, financial, and emotional specialists. This court-free process prioritizes mutual solutions, preserving relationships while addressing asset division, child custody, and support. Clients work directly with attorneys and neutrals in four-way meetings to create tailored agreements that reflect family values and long-term needs.
Divorce Mediation
As a neutral mediator, I facilitate discussions between spouses to resolve divorce terms without litigation. This confidential process covers parenting plans, financial settlements, and property division, supported by expert referrals when needed. Mediation empowers couples to control outcomes while reducing costs and emotional strain compared to traditional adversarial divorce proceedings.
Legal Coaching
Legal Coaching guides self-represented clients through divorce procedures, explaining rights and obligations under Connecticut law. Services include document review, strategy advice, and court process navigation for straightforward cases without minor children or complex assets. Clients maintain control while receiving targeted legal expertise to ensure informed decision-making.
Prenuptial Agreements
Prenuptial Agreements establish financial terms for potential divorce or death, protecting assets and inheritances. Using mediation, I help couples create fair, enforceable agreements through open dialogue, balancing both parties' interests while preserving relationship integrity. This proactive approach prevents future conflicts and clarifies expectations for blended families or significant assets.
Family Mediation
Family Mediation addresses post-divorce or co-parenting disputes, focusing on child welfare and practical solutions. I facilitate communication to resolve custody, visitation, and financial support issues without court intervention. This confidential process fosters cooperation, reducing long-term conflict while prioritizing children's emotional well-being and stable family dynamics.
People
Vicki Volper, JD LLM
Attorney & Mediator
Vicki Volper, JD, LLM, specializes in collaborative divorce and mediation with 20+ years of family law experience. A member of the Connecticut Bar Association and International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, she combines legal expertise with emotional intelligence to guide families through divorce while preserving dignity and protecting children.
Questions
What is the difference between collaborative divorce and mediation?
Collaborative divorce involves attorneys for both parties working in joint meetings to resolve issues, while mediation uses a neutral third party to facilitate discussions. Both avoid court but differ in structure and legal representation levels.
How long does the divorce process take?
Timelines vary by complexity, but collaborative divorce and mediation typically resolve in 3-6 months—faster than litigation. Scheduling flexibility and cooperation between parties significantly impact duration.
Can we use collaborative divorce if we already have attorneys?
Traditional litigation attorneys must withdraw for collaborative divorce. Both parties hire new collaborative-trained attorneys committed to resolving issues outside court through cooperative negotiations.
What if we can't agree on asset division?
Financial neutrals in collaborative divorce or mediators help identify creative solutions. If impasses persist, litigation remains an option, though both processes emphasize finding mutually beneficial resolutions.
Do you offer virtual consultations?
Yes, we provide remote video conferencing for initial consultations and follow-up meetings to accommodate client schedules and geographic needs.
How are child custody decisions made?
Child-focused mediation prioritizes the child's best interests through parenting plans addressing custody, visitation, education, and healthcare. Specialists may assist in developing age-appropriate arrangements.
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