No single way of divorcing is right for every couple ending their marriage. Many today are seeking an alternative to conventional divorce, one that minimizes the time, expense and hostility that are so often a part of divorce. Collaborative Divorce has been developed to provide individuals with a welcome alternative.
Collaborative Divorce is a process in which both parties and counsel commit themselves to resolve differences fairly, equitably, in a respectful manner without resort or threat of resort to the courts.
In recent years more and more family law attorneys and divorcing couples have been drawn to this process as a cost-efficient and respectful way of reaching agreements that work for both of the parties and their families.
Collaborative divorce is not your typical court-based, high-stress divorce. In fact, it is meant to resolve your divorce in a peaceful and respectful team-based approach:
The Collaborative team is a group of professionals, each skilled in their own area of expertise, working for the benefit of you, your spouse and your children. It is very much like a medical team in which different specialists focus on the care and needs of the patient.
The Collaborative team consists of:
Whereas conventional divorce often involves exchanging demands and accusations, the Collaborative approach proceeds on the basis of mutual cooperation, respect and option building. Some characteristics of the Collaborative process include:
You and your spouse are integral parts of the team. Collaborative lawyers view their professional obligations differently from litigation attorneys. Collaborative attorneys are not adversaries but are partners in the problem-solving process.