UNDERSTANDING YOUR DIVORCE OPTIONS
Family law issues usually come about in the midst of times of emotional crisis, times when it’s tough to make decisions or think about the future with any certainty.
At Amato Family Law, we work to keep the overall emotional health of families in mind during these transitions while coming to the best possible resolution for our clients.
Our family law firm offers mediation, collaborative law and litigation experience in matters such as divorce, custody, modifications and paternity. We understand the situation you’re in and will assist you in understanding the issues and finding solutions that work for you and your family as we navigate the legal process.
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Collaborative Divorce
Divorce involves legal, financial, and strong emotional issues. If you are interested in a settlement process that provides professional assistance in each of these aspects of your divorce, with a commitment to working towards a resolution that works for you, your spouse, and your children, then collaborative divorce should be considered. Collaborative divorce can be effective in both simple and complex situations.
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Litigation
If there is high conflict in your family or relationship or if you have no confidence in the integrity of your spouse, then litigation may be appropriate. While the adversarial process can be stressful and destructive to parenting relationships, it offers the availability of formal discovery processes and the option of a judge making decisions for you if you and your spouse are unable to come to an agreed upon resolution.
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Mediation
If you and your spouse are committed to resolving your divorce without litigation but need assistance in understanding the issues, communicating effectively, and structuring your negotiations, mediation may be a good option for you.
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Non-Contested
This method is most appropriate when there are few assets, a low level of conflict, an equal understanding of financial situation, ability to negotiate, and a strong desire to keep costs low.
FAMILY LAW ISSUES
Although family law often deals with divorce, there are a variety of other issues with which family law attorneys can help. Issues such as custody arrangements, child support, and prenups are common issues that exist outside the realm of divorce. As dedicated family lawyers, Amato Family Law’s attorneys can assist you with all of your family law needs.
Divorce
The decision to dissolve your marriage is a difficult one, as is the path through this major life transition. We can assist you in evaluating and understanding your legal options, rights and responsibilities both as to the process you will use in the event of a dissolution of marriage and the range of possible outcomes.
...read moreCustody
Missouri law focuses heavily on the child’s best interests. The impact of divorce on children can be greatly reduced when parents cooperate in the custody agreements.
...read moreChild Support
The term ‘Child Support’ encompasses far more than a simple payment arrangement for day-to-day expenses. College tuition, medical insurance and costs, and child care costs are among the many issues decided upon in child support arrangements.
...read morePaternity
Formalization of paternity is required in Missouri to establish parental rights for unmarried biological fathers. Collaboration between parents can eliminate many of the more complex, difficult aspects of establishing paternity and securing parental rights.
...read moreModifications
Post-divorce modifications are frequently sought when there is a substantial change in the circumstances of one of the involved parties or the children.
...read morePrenuptial Agreements
Prenuptial agreements can be difficult to enforce if not well-written and comprehensive. An attorney is an important part of this complex legal agreement.
...read more
MEET OUR ATTORNEYS
In 1992, after nearly a decade as a successful attorney and divorce mediator, Susan Amato founded her own practice with a focus on mediation and family law matters. Susan is a recognized trailblazer in mediation and collaborative law, on the forefront of introducing, developing and utilizing these methods in the St. Louis legal arena. She also has years of experience resolving complex family matters through litigation.
Ann Vatterott joined Amato Family Law, LLC in the summer of 2012 as a law clerk. Ms. Vatterott received a B.S. from St. Louis University in 2005 and J.D. from St. Louis University School of Law in 2013.
Front Title
Susan has been named for many years by Saint Louis Magazine and by U.S. News as a “Best Lawyer” in the areas of Collaborative Family Law and Family Law Mediation, and has been named by Best Lawyers in America as 2015 St. Louis Collaborative Law: Family Law “Lawyer of the Year. Susan holds the Martindale Hubbell “AV” Peer Review Rating for achieving the highest level of professional excellence.
Recognized Expertise
A selection of the awards and recognition we have received:
Best Lawyers, Collaborative Family Law – US News & World Report, 2015
Best Lawyers, Family Law Mediation-US News & World Report, 2015
Washington University American Jurisprudence Family Law Award
Martindale-Hubbell AV rating, 2003-2014
Best Lawyers in St. Louis in areas of Collaborative Law: Family Law and Family Law Mediation 2008-2014
Best Lawyers in America in areas of Collaborative Law: Family Law and Family Law Mediation, 2010-2014
Missouri Lawyer’s Media 2009 Women in the Law Citizenship Award