Today’s Law Firm Owner Spotlight series features divorce attorney Katherine Miller. Owner of Miller Law, Katherine takes a collaborative approach to divorce.

Katherine Miller’s Philosophy: Divorce with Dignity

Katherine Miller, a family law practitioner in New York and Connecticut, is on a mission to change how people divorce. She believes in enabling couples to go through the process with dignity, focusing on being their best selves and effective parents.

Her approach is not just about legal proceedings but about helping individuals navigate this tough phase while maintaining their self-respect and personal values.

Collaborative Divorce: A Unique Approach

One significant aspect of Miller’s practice is ‘Collaborative Divorce‘. Unlike traditional litigation, which often exacerbates conflict and stress, collaborative divorce takes place in a conference room setting, not a courtroom.

Each party has their own attorney, but these attorneys are contractually bound not to litigate. This setup ensures that everyone involved is focused on finding a resolution tailored to the family’s specific needs and values, rather than fitting into the general law.

Benefits for SMB Owners

For SMB owners, this approach can be particularly beneficial. The stress and conflict of a conventional divorce can significantly impact their business operations and decision-making. Collaborative divorce reduces these stresses, allowing business owners to maintain focus on their companies while navigating personal changes.

Protecting Children and Family Dynamics

Miller places a strong emphasis on protecting children during the divorce process. Traditional litigation often inadvertently involves children in conflicts, despite parents’ best intentions.

Collaborative divorce, by contrast, involves segregating parenting issues and sometimes includes a parenting specialist. This separation of issues helps to shield children from the turmoil and allows for more effective co-parenting post-divorce.

Personalized and Integrative Approach

Miller’s firm prides itself on treating clients as individuals, not just files. They consider how the divorce impacts all aspects of a person’s life, including their work and living situation. This holistic approach is crucial for SMB owners, whose personal and professional lives are often closely intertwined.

Duration and Costs

The process typically takes about nine months, but this can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the family dynamics. Miller’s firm works on a retainer basis, billing hourly, and aims to provide value over mere cost reduction. This is particularly important for SMB owners, for whom the outcomes of a divorce can have far-reaching financial implications.

Choosing the Right Path: Divorce vs. Legal Separation

Miller also educates clients on the difference between divorce and legal separation, a choice that can have significant legal and financial implications, especially regarding health insurance and tax filings.

Conclusion: A Path to a Healthier Future

For SMB owners, who must juggle the demands of their businesses with the challenges of a personal crisis, Katherine Miller’s approach to divorce provides a model that minimizes conflict and promotes dignity.

Her collaborative method not only supports individuals through their personal transitions but also enables them to maintain their professional responsibilities effectively. In a world where personal and professional lives are increasingly interconnected, Miller’s integrative approach offers a path to a healthier, more balanced future.