Collaborative Law Process

A process where parties negotiate a mutually-acceptable settlement without court intervention, utilizing attorneys and other professionals as needed to best support the process.  

• Flexible and adaptable process
• Focused on cooperation, communication and mutual problem-solving
• Contractually agree to settlement process (no court)
• Utilizes other trained professionals as needed
  • Financial neural
  • Family specialist or child specialist
  • Divorce coach (or coaches)
  • Others (realtor, business valuator, financial advisor, accountant, etc.)
• Starts with a commencement meeting to talk about goals and sign participation agreement (contract indicating that attorneys will withdraw if case goes to court)
• Series of meetings in various configurations to help clients find resolution
• Once agreements are reached, attorneys draft agreements and file for administrative review and entry

Pros of Collaborative Law:

• Cooperation and Communication
• Control and Autonomy
• Privacy and Confidentiality
• Interdisciplinary Support
• Cost Savings

Cons of Collaborative Law:

• Requirement for Cooperation
• Need for Full Disclosure
• Withdrawal of Collaborative Attorneys

In summary, collaborative law offers couples a cooperative, communication-focused approach to divorce that requires a willingness to engage in good faith negotiations to achieve mutually satisfactory outcomes.