Mediation is not for every divorcing couple. Collaborative Law is sometimes described as ‘mediation on steroids’. It can provide all the benefits of mediation, in a more structured, safer and more supportive process.
Collaborative law is a process where the parties work with a settlement team of specially trained attorneys and related professionals to resolve their issues without court intervention. Separating partners seek their highest values and goals for all family members in safe and private negotiations
Q. Why should I consider using Collaborative Law to divorce?
The biggest reason to consider using collaborative law is to avoid the typical, awful divorce that so many of our friends and relatives have suffered. For the vast majority of families, the courtroom is no place to take its problems. Collaborative law offers a fundamentally different option to legal warfare: peaceful, respectful, safe and private way to come up with the very best win-win solutions for the divorcing couples and their kids, now and for the years to come.
Your divorce will not be easy, and certainly not fun. But it does not have to be destructive. Collaborative law offers a way to make this life transition in a healthy manner that will aid the emotional healing of all family members
Q. How does the Collaborative divorce process work?
The couple gets whatever assistance it needs from specially trained professionals to help them resolve their emotional, financial, legal and parenting issues surrounding the end of their marriage. We set out the common family goals to be achieved and each partner attempts to pursue his or her own values and highest and best goals for all family members.
All work is based on full voluntary disclosure of all information, good faith, courtesy, and mutual respect. The clients determine what is to be negotiated and the professionals shape the process for maximum safety and effectiveness in working through the family’s issues. While the parties agree in writing not to take their dispute to court, their individual attorneys do provide legal advice and advocacy for solutions that meet the client’s immediate and long-term needs.
The clients and professionals work together as a settlement team to do the very best possible under the circumstances for the family as a whole.
