What is Collaborative Law?
Collaborative Divorce is a non-adversarial (out of court) divorce option. It uses a team approach (legal, financial and mental health) to promote peaceful, forward looking solutions that work for each client as well as the whole family. It is based upon core values such as integrity and mutual respect. The terms of a Collaborative Divorce are outlined in the Participation Agreement.
Collaborative divorce offers the following benefits:
- A non-adversarial divorce option (no court, no threats of court);
- Private, Confidential and Discreet (as opposed to a public blame and shame game);
- A team approach to the complexity of Divorce: legal, financial and mental health (create a safe environment to have difficult conversations);
- Follows a structured Road Map (know where you are in your divorce process and where you are going);
- Cost effective (less than an adversarial divorce; more than mediation-comparable to a regular divorce that eventually settles prior to trial);
- Empowering & Efficient (you and your spouse have more control over the divorce by becoming the key to your future success by paying attention to what really matters);
- Mutual Disclosure of Information (allows you to avoid the extra expense of financial discovery, or the “battle of the experts.”
- Settlement discussions occur when you are both psychologically ready to make the best decisions (leads to stronger resolutions that last, and minimize future disputes);
- Interdisciplinary team approach from initial meeting through a final settlement (wrap around support you need during divorce);
- Easy access to the appropriate professionals when you need them (increases efficiency);
Collaborative Divorce is well suited to the couple who needs legal support and who recognize that divorce is more than just a legal problem—it is also emotional and financial.