Collaborative Divorce

Collaborative Divorce Process

This voluntary and confidential process for conflict resolution supports people to separate in a manner which respects the humanity of each person in the family. Collaborative Law Process offers a dignified and respectful path to agreement. It is a supportive environment for communicating goals and interests. Creative solutions are encouraged. Clients rely on an open exchange of information to make informed choices.

What does the Collaborative Process look like?

The Collaborative Process begins with a joint participation agreement that includes a pledge not to use or threaten court intervention in order to gain a negotiation advantage. A team of supportive professionals invests 100% of their effort into helping you reach an agreement. The professional team brings a variety of skills to the conflict resolution process so it is viewed through more than just a legal lens. A Collaborative Coach ensures that each party is heard and helps to address emotional barriers that might impact movement toward resolution. The coach, who has family systems training, also helps parents develop a parenting plan. A child specialist can be used to bring the voice of the children into the process without putting them in the middle. A Certified Divorce Financial Planner is used to gather financial records, develop budgets and help generate scenarios for financial settlement that look beyond a simple division of assets to future impact.

What about the cost?

Sounds appealing but expensive? A divorce process has both a financial and an emotional cost. The Collaborative process is really designed to be financially cost effective and is generally less expensive than a traditional litigation process which doesn’t even consider the emotional price. Each Collaborative professional brings unique training and skill so that you make decisions with sound financial, legal and parenting information. Duplicate effort by attorneys is minimized compared to a traditional adversarial approach. Costly court actions are avoided. Communication is more effective. You remain in charge of decisions. Most importantly, the emotional cost of a “win-lose” approach is avoided. You can move forward with integrity. Parents can manage their two-household family with the knowledge that each places the needs of the children above a desire to “win” the conflict.

How does Collaborative Process differ from Mediation Process?

In the Collaborative Process, both participants are represented by an attorney. Parties in a mediation process may elect not to have attorney assistance. Well qualified Collaborative attorneys have had mediation training so they will facilitate the negotiations without a mediator. In most cases, there are other professionals on the Collaborative team.