Practice Methods

Consultation/Legal Counseling

Over the years, we’ve found that the most important advice we give to our clients is what we say in our first meeting. That first meeting – and the advice we give during it – is often critical in how the problem is later handled. And it can make thousands of dollars difference in final litigation costs. Our first consultations are in-depth, substantive, and an attempt to give information that you can use even if you ultimately decide not to use our services.

To set up a consultation, contact our office to schedule an appointment – by Zoom, telephone, or email. We must have at least your name, the other involved parties’ names, and a brief outline of your situation so that we can be prepared as possible before your consultation begins.

Our preference is to meet by Zoom. In-person meetings are often also very helpful, but we’ve found that a Zoom video meeting is often much more convenient, less expensive, more easily fit into challenging schedules, and allows for better overall experiences. This allows us to gather more information and present it to us as you like in addition to giving you a better sense of who we are and whether we are right for you. We know that in-person meetings are not always possible.  For those times, we accommodate telephone, email, or video-conference meetings.  Please understand, however, that in almost all cases, it is necessary that we meet in person at some point during the course of your case so that we can properly represent you.

We personalize our services to meet your specific needs, so talk with us about how to structure ongoing legal counseling verses individual consultations. If you want continuing consultations without our ‘full-service’ representation, we offer ‘limited scope’ consultations at a ‘per event’ cost.

Collaborative Family Law

Collaborative Family Law is a process to help couples work with their own lawyers and other family professionals to avoid the uncertain outcome of court and to achieve a settlement best meeting their own specific needs without litigating the disputed issues. The voluntary process is initiated when the couple signs a participation agreement that they and their lawyers are committed to resolving the case out-of-court in one or more Collaborative Law meetings. We were among the first to be trained in Collaborative Law processes in Kansas. And we are committed to doing all we can to advance a compassionate resolution to family law disputes.

Dispute Resolution

We can help with many different ways to resolve disputes. Whether it’s helping to frame settlement discussions as primary or associated counsel, acting as a mediator between separating or divorcing partners, acting as an arbitrator or special master as agreed by parties or appointed by the court, or in some other non-litigation dispute resolution role, Ronald W. Nelson is uniquely qualified to help couples seek out alternate ways to resolve their issues without resorting to expensive court procedures.

Limited Scope Representation

Limited scope representation means that you and your attorney agree that you will perform some of the tasks associated with your case, and the attorney will perform others.  For example, you may agree that you will gather the financial data while the attorney drafts the paperwork to be filed with the court. The attorney may coach you on how to prepare documents yourself or review documents you have drafted.  The attorney may coach you on how to appear in court by yourself, or may handle only the most complicated parts of your case and give you advice on how to handle the simpler parts.  The attorney may prepare the evidence which you will present at court. The attorney can also appear at court for one part of your case (the most difficult or technical) while you represent yourself on other simpler or less critical parts.  The attorney then bills you only for the parts of the case the attorney handled.

Litigation (Full-Scope Representation)

We have over thirty-years experience in litigation. Frankly, we don’t recommend it. It’s expensive; it’s emotionally draining; it’s frustrating; and, in the end, few get what they want.  It is something to be avoided at all costs, if possible.

But we’re lawyers. It’s what we do – and it’s what we’ve done many times in the past. We’ve handled many cases from start-to-finish, from filing-through-appeals. And we’ve helped other lawyers frame and prepare for trial. So while a trial is never a good thing; if necessary, we’re available.

Appeals

We’ve handled over 100 appeals in state and federal courts, involving all areas of family law and addressing issues important for not only our clients, but also for people throughout the state. Ronald W. Nelson is admitted to and has practiced in front of the Kansas Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, and the Tenth Circuit United States Courts of Appeal, and is admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court.