Diane L. Mader

After 19 years of marriage, a decision to divorce was devastating, scary, and worrisome. I contacted Diane for help because I sought a collaborative divorce, one that would conclude a dysfunctional relationship with grace, respect, compassion, and assurance that the process would be handled with efficiency and care by a skilled legal expert. Diane is not only a knowledgeable lawyer, but was a kind helper through the most stressful event of my life. She led our family through a maze of decisions with assurance and confidence that things would resolve, and the message that--yes--there is life after divorce, it can be "the right" choice for some families, and that we would survive the intimidating process. At an emotionally charged time, I very much appreciated Diane's calm demeanor and reassurance. In addition to Diane's expert legal help, we also benefited from a financial professional she recommended--who worked with us (and included Diane in our discussions) to assistance us in making specific financial choices in our divorce contract to best help both of us and our children post-divorce. Diane's staff, too, is top notch and responsive. Diane's philosophy is one that keeps at the forefront the importance of respect for all parties, and also one that keeps children as an important focal point in the process as well. We often discussed how they were handling the event, and what we might do to help them adjust too. Diane handled our divorce with skill, kindness, and compassion. She helped us navigate a very, very difficult circumstance in away that made me feel she cared about our situation and hoped to help us to not only conclude a marriage, but to be well-prepared for a life after the divorce was final. Our family is still a "family"--it is simply structured in a different way post-divorce. She helped us make those realizations as well. Diane is an excellent communicator, was efficient in handling our divorce, and kept us informed along the way about various legal steps in the proceedings and what we should expect: from the day of filing all the way through to the day of the divorce being final. I absolutely recommend Diane for anyone who seeks to end a marriage with dignity, grace, respect, and honor. Divorcing was not an easy process; it was challenging at best, sometimes frustrating and anxiety producing--even as we sought a collaborative process and hoped to end the marriage on good terms. I could not have asked for a more patient and helpful legal expert than Diane Mader. She was an incredible help and support through a very difficult life decision; and she handled it skillfully and kindly. With Diane's help, we ended one life chapter with respect, and began a new life chapter with confidence. I not only recommend her, I thank her.