Sarah Orr provides family law services in the Davis and Woodland areas. She focuses on mediation, collaborative practice, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, guardianships, and serving as minor’s counsel.
Mediation
Mediation can be a cost-effective way to resolve disputes. It also offers the benefit of being a private, confidential process where both parties work together to resolve issues and create mutual and lasting agreements. Sarah Orr is a certified family law specialist who is skilled in helping couples find creative solutions to resolve their differences in issues related to the custody of children, division of their property, and support.
Collaborative Practice
Rather than resort to litigation, which inevitably increases conflict and tends to polarize positions, the collaborative team works together to ensure that both parties’ needs and interests are fully recognized and addressed. For many people faced with family law disputes, Collaborative Practice can provide an appropriate and well-supported alternative to a costly and acrimonious court battle over marital property, support, and child custody.
Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
A prenuptial agreement can provide peace of mind when entering into a marriage with the knowledge that separate property interests, such as a business, are protected. Both partners then have the security of clear expectations and can focus on the joy of the event without the stresses of financial uncertainty. A postnuptial agreement can resolve disputes over finances in an ongoing marriage, allowing for greater harmony and often resolving issues that might otherwise lead to divorce.
Guardianships
Sarah Orr has provided assistance to many families seeking guardianships to protect the interests of vulnerable children, from infants to teenagers. Particularly when the parent or parents cannot recognize their own issues, it’s important to have experienced counsel to guide the potential guardian through the legal process. The end result is that a vulnerable child is made safe and secure, and the family can avoid the involvement of the child dependency system.
Minor’s Counsel
Minor’s counsel serves as a court-appointed attorney who represents a child or children in a litigated custody matter. Minor’s counsel determines what’s in the best interest of the child or children. Minor’s counsel gathers information about the case from the child or children, the parents, and collateral contacts, and makes an informed opinion about the child’s needs and can draft reports and make oral recommendations to the court.