Forrest R. Collins, Divorce Mediator and Collaborative Attorney Email Us 6500 SW Macadam Avenue, Suite 300 Portland, Oregon 97239 Phone: 503-245-0894 Fax: 503-245-5122

Forrest R. Collins, Divorce Mediator and Collaborative Attorney

Family law disputes are traditionally resolved through the litigation process. Many people are unaware that there are other options available for resolving family law disputes. These options include mediation, collaborative practice, cooperative practice, and direct negotiation.

Attorney Forrest R. Collins focuses his practice exclusively on family law. Your initial consultation will begin with a review of these options to help you make the best decision about how to proceed with your case.

Mediation

Many people have heard of mediation but may not know exactly what it is. Simply put, mediation is negotiation that is facilitated by a neutral third party who does not have any decision-making authority. In other words, the mediator is someone who helps two participants reach their own agreement but will not make their decision for them. Mediation is completely voluntary, which means that anyone can leave the process at any time for any reason (or no reason at all).

Forrest Collins offers divorce mediation and custody mediation, as well as mediation to modify past judgments. Spousal support, child support, custody and parenting time are all things that can be modified using mediation.

Read more about the significant benefits of mediation and learn more about the process through these helpful articles.

Collaborative Law

Collaborative Law (also known as Collaborative Practice or Collaborative Divorce) is a cutting edge approach to resolving family disputes that is growing increasingly popular with a public dissatisfied with the traditional way of doing things. It is a “process” option, just like mediation or litigation are options. Collaborative Law combines the benefits of mediation (good faith, client driven, etc.) with the support and advice of a collaboratively-trained attorney. The process is based on principles of good faith and full disclosure – terms most people do not associate with litigation.

Collaborative Law looks very different from traditional litigation. Please read more about the process and benefits of the unique collaborative process.

About Forrest R. Collins, Attorney at Law

Forrest R. Collins focuses his practice on the resolution of family disputes. Forrest’s priority is to teach people about their available options. While in law school, Forrest studied at the nationally-acclaimed Center for Dispute Resolution. That experience, combined with his experience in family law litigation, has led Forrest to focus his practice on dispute resolution.

Memberships and Associations

• Oregon State Bar Association (Family Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution Sections)
• Multnomah Bar Association
• Washington County Bar Association
• Oregon Mediation Association
• International Academy of Collaborative Professionals

Education

• Linfield College, 2003, B.S. in Computer Science, Minor in Political Science
• Willamette University College of Law, 2006, J.D.
• Willamette University College of Law, 2006, Certificate in Dispute Resolution

Dispute Resolution Training

• Basic Interdisciplinary Collaborative Law Training, 2009
• Intermediate Collaborative Law Training, 2009
• Mediating Divorce Agreements, 2009

Forrest offers divorce mediation and collaborative law services in Portland and the surrounding areas. Contact him today to schedule a consultation regarding your family law matter.

Please email us or visit our website for additional information.