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: a 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?
Specially trained professionals provide the couple with the assistance they need to resolve the emotional, financial, legal and parenting issues surrounding the end of their marriage. At our first team meeting, we set out the common family goals to be achieved and each partner commits to bringing his or her hightest and best self to the process.
All work is based on transparency, complete sharing of relevant information, good faith, courtesy, and mutual respect. The parties determine what is to be negotiated and the professionals mold 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 their 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.
