Very few people facing divorce want to go through the typical (usually awful) version that so many of our friends and loved ones have suffered. Instead, they want a respectful process that makes one of life’s hardest transitions as gentle as possible for their families. For some, the mediation process is not a good fit, but they really want to avoid going to court. The Collaborative process may be exactly what they need.
In a Collaborative divorce, the spouses work with specially trained lawyers and form a settlement team to develop the best possible solutions to all the issues, for all involved. The Collaborative process recognizes that in a divorce, all family members will win or lose together. Litigation is taken off the table. Rather than warriors or hired guns, collaborative attorneys are more like legally-trained diplomats. The process is one of honest full disclosure and mutual respect.
The Collaborative professional team may includes other neutral specialists, based on the family’s unique circumstances. This might include communication coaches, a child expert or a financial analyst. As with building a house, everyone works within his or her area of expertise in constructing the final product.
The Collaborative process helps participants to be their best selves at this tough time, rather than being drug down into the whirlpool of anger and sadness that can greatly damage family relationships for many years to come, or even forever. Divorce is never easy. But with the help of highly trained, family-focused professionals, you can work through this family re-structuring in a healthy, peaceful and dignified manner. You can do this for yourself, your partner and especially for your children. It takes courage but it is being done all over the U.S. and Canada by people just like you.
Getting the right assistance can make a world of difference in how your family looks back at the divorce. For more information, see my FAQ page, or watch Portland families describe their experience ,or a more general video video at CollaborativePractice.com.
Call (503-473-8242) or contact me for more information.
