Collaborative Family Divorce

Collaborative Divorce is a compassionate way to resolve family law disputes. Both parties and their lawyers commit to resolving the concerns through a series of structured negotiations so they can work together to reach a mutually agreed-upon outcome without the Court's intervention. 

Instead of the traditional focus on each party's rights and entitlements which can lead to added complexities and cost that are not helpful – the negotiation process focuses on achieving outcomes that will meet the emotional and financial needs of both parties in a manner that feels helpful and healing to both parties. 

Listening to what matters and why it matters

• You and your partner agree to the collaborative divorce process
  
• You each hire an experienced collaborative family divorce lawyer,  meet privately with that lawyer to discuss your concerns,  the ways each of you can benefit by working with collaborative divorce lawyers 
  
• If you have financial or emotional concerns, you may also meet with collaboratively-trained financial planners and mental health professionals, respectively
  
• You and your partner sign the Participation Agreement and agree to provide full disclosure – a necessary step as honesty and courtesy are required to make the collaborative divorce process work
  
• Face-to-face meetings between you and your chosen collaborative family professionals are held to exchange information, define the needs and expectations of each partner – especially concerning the well-being and co-parenting of your children
  
• Both parties work together for the drafting of mutually acceptable terms and provisions regarding financial support and other parenting issues – the work continues until a personalized solution is generated
  
• The respective collaborative family lawyers confirm that all paperwork has been properly written, will be viewed by the courts as legally correct. 
  
  

Collaborative Divorce is a resolution process with many advantages

• What matters most and why it matters to each person is clarified and respected

  

• Your ongoing communication with each other will be kinder during this process and post separation

• The concerns each of you have for your children will be prioritized

  

• You are actively involved in helping to figure out all aspects of your settlement

  

• Both of you prefer to maintain feeling directly involved in the separation process to avoid giving control of the process to the Court

• The process reduces hostility and promotes an amicable future