We at Tuft & Lach, PLLC view ourselves as creative problem-solvers. Your attorney will work with you to resolve your legal problems using one of a number of methods available. The approach may vary from case-to-case, and multiple approaches may be used over the course of the case.

Resolution through the parties.

Mediation: A forum in which a neutral third party facilitates communication between the parties to promote settlement. In recent years mediation has become a preferred way of settling legal disputes in Minnesota. In family law matters, the Court often encourages and sometimes orders the parties to participate in alternative dispute resolution. Tuft & Lach, PLLC offers mediation services. However, our attorneys cannot act in the role of both mediator and attorney for the same client. Thomas Tuft, Susan Lach, Letty Van Ert, and Nicole Billings are trained mediators pursuant to Rule 114.

Arbitration: A forum where each party appears before a neutral third party (Arbitrator) who renders a decision based upon the parties’ positions. The decision is binding only if the parties so stipulate in advance.

Med-Arb: A combination of mediation and arbitration, and is most frequently used in post-divorce child related issues

Collaborative Law: A process by which a divorce is achieved in an as amicable manner as possible. The attorneys do not appear in Court on behalf of the clients. The attorneys act as mediators to help the clients to reach an agreement, allowing the case to proceed through the administrative process. A list of the attorneys who are members of the Collaborative Law Institute is available upon request.

Litigation: The vast majority of cases are resolved without significant litigation. However, when necessary, we are fully prepared to litigate your case. Our attorneys have litigated cases in virtually every area of family law. Our paralegals are invaluable in assisting us in litigation, by doing a vast majority of the trial preparation, which keeps costs down as well.