Divorce with Dignity is Possible

A divorce with dignity may sound counterintuitive because it often comes with controversy, cultural stigma and religious implications. For those considering a divorce as their next best step, it just might be the most stressful event they have ever experienced. Local attorney Victoria “Vicki” Kelly, a partner at Grunyk Family Law, in Naperville, wants her clients to know that divorce and co-parenting can be dignified, and that families can support children through the whole experience with success. “Regardless of the approach, whether litigation or settlement, I believe in a dignified approach to your case. As a family law attorney, your family’s happiness is important to me. My goal is to work with my clients to set goals while applying a mindful approach to your case,” Kelly says.

Kelly is a practicing guardian ad litem for adoption and divorce, and has recently achieved Illinois State Bar Association continuing legal education mediator certification. “I think it is important to build a personal relationship with my clients. We are caring, compassionate, and we pride ourselves on staying family-focused.” Kelly shares how being a parent to her two young daughters impacts how she practices law. “The gravity of understanding, even though I cannot always see the children behind the case—they are there. My goal is to make sure my choices as a practitioner help lessen the impact and stress those children feel from the experience.”

Parenting choices are complex for any family, she notes. For divorcing parents that struggle to agree, healthy parenting means coming up with a plan, or parenting agreement, that best works for their family and the communication styles of both co-parents.

Kelly wants to make sure families understand the differences between these approaches, reminding them that a mediator does not act as an attorney for either party, but proactively acts to identify issues and work with the couple to develop reasonable, viable solutions. Mediation sessions are structured so that the participants can successfully negotiate their own settlement. Depending on the complexity of the issues, the mediator will often recommend that the parties each have their own attorney to provide additional legal support in-between mediation sessions, and also to draft final agreements that may be entered into the record by the court.

For those considering mediation as a technique, Kelly encourages families to seek counsel from an experienced mediator in their community. Easy online research with reputable organizations like local bar associations can offer resources for families that can help them find an attorney and approach that will best serve the needs of their case.

For more information, call 630-428-3300 or visit www.GrunykLaw.com.

Anna Marie Imbordino is an award-winning publicist, writer and environmentalist based in Chicago and Charleston, SC. Connect on social media by following @teawiththebee.