Wolman, Jay Marshall

Carrie Willis Witter is a native of Fredericksburg, Virginia. She graduated from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia in 1999. She graduated from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond, where she received her Juris Doctor.

Carrie's practice encompasses all aspects of Family Law including settlements reached through negotiation, Property Settlement Agreements, Consent Orders and No-Fault Divorces as well as litigation of all contested matters. She represents clients in Child Custody, Support and Visitation cases, Equitable Distribution of Property for divorces, Prenuptial Agreements, Postnuptial Agreements and Spousal Support. Carrie is also experienced in Retirement Asset Division including pensions, 401Ks, profit sharing plans and other employer sponsored retirement savings. She is the current Vice President of the Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association.

In 2008, Carrie became qualified in the Collaborative process and includes that in her practice. The Collaborative process is a respectful way to resolve disputes such as divorce and/or custody. If necessary, "Team members" like financial experts and mental health experts are utilized by the parties. These experts can join the Collaborative process to assist the parties make important decisions about their children and their finances. To ensure that the Collaborative process is fair and equitable, the parties must both agree to make a full and complete disclosure of all relevant information.

The Collaborative process can always be terminated if not productive by one or both parties. If that happens, then the parties must wait 30 days prior to filing anything litigation unless there has been an act of family abuse. In an effort to encourage and support the continuation of the Collaborative process, the parties must hire new attorneys for any litigation, although another member of our firm can take over the case if the other party consents. The goal of the Collaborative process is to reach a durable resolution of the various issues that confront families in the event of divorce with resolutions that are in the best interests of that family.

The Collaborative process especially recognizes the importance of cooperation in raising children. It is the Collaborative professional's duty to create an amicable environment for collaborative negotiations without the "mud slinging" and name calling that many people believe characterizes the litigation process. Parenting children is a life time job that is measured by not only the life time of a parent but also that of the children. The Collaborative process encourages respect and dignity in resolving the important issues that affect their children in divorce.

The Collaborative process was originally intended assist people to resolve issues incidental to divorce and it is continually evolving as the needs of the participants change. This process can be used to resolve issues related to prenuptial agreements, post-nuptial agreements, settling matters concerning children of unmarried partners, settling estate disputes as well settling issues derived from same-sex couples with children or property. It is a process that can used to resolve almost any kind of issue over which the parties have a disagreement so long as all parties are will to agree to use the process.

Once a final agreement is reached on any or all of the issues, the attorneys involved assist by preparing a formal agreement and completing whatever process is needed in the Courts.

Carrie is an active member of International, State and local Collaborative organizations. She has served as Secretary for the Collaborative Professionals of Richmond for three years and will be President in 2013.

Carrie devotes time to providing legal services for cancer patients referred to her through the Legal Information Network for Cancer, to the University of Richmond Harry L. Carrico Pro Bono Program, to Safe Harbor, a resource for battered women and to Henrico County residents seeking family abuse protective orders.

She enjoys the practice of family law immensely as it gives her the opportunity to help families and couples when they need it most, whether it is through litigation, Collaboration or negotiation. She realized early in law school that family law practice was the area in which she wanted to utilize her skills as an attorney.

Carrie lives in the Far West End of Richmond with her cocker spaniel, Henry, right around the corner from her two sisters, two nieces and one nephew. When asked "What is your crowning achievement," she quickly responds "becoming an aunt." Her parents remain in Fredericksburg but she spends time with them frequently.