Collaborative Divorce
Paul Simon sang about the 50 ways to leave your lover. What he didn’t say is that some ways are better than others.
The traditional model for divorce has been to file a Petition with the court, serve your spouse using a process server, and then try to work everything out. This model has led to a lot of nasty actions, huge expenses, and broken families. However, it doesn’t have to be this way, and many families are discovering a new model for resolving their disputes.
If you only want to litigate, spend a great deal of time in your lawyer’s office and in court, and spend a lot of money, you are definitely looking for a Divorce Shark. However, there is another type of lawyer: the lawyer who is a creative problem-solver and promotes settling cases reasonably. One of the ways that type of lawyer helps you bring fairness and control to your case is by offering the Collaborative Divorce process as an option.
The traditional model for divorce has been to file a Petition with the court, serve your spouse using a process server, and then try to work everything out. This model has led to a lot of nasty actions, huge expenses, and broken families. However, it doesn’t have to be this way, and many families are discovering a new model for resolving their disputes.
If you only want to litigate, spend a great deal of time in your lawyer’s office and in court, and spend a lot of money, you are definitely looking for a Divorce Shark. However, there is another type of lawyer: the lawyer who is a creative problem-solver and promotes settling cases reasonably. One of the ways that type of lawyer helps you bring fairness and control to your case is by offering the Collaborative Divorce process as an option.
What is Collaborative Divorce?
Collaborative Divorces (and Cooperative Divorce methods) allow families to resolve divorce and related family matters in a non-adversarial setting that is more cooperative and friendlier. The Collaborative Divorce encourages open communication and cooperation between the divorcing spouses. It’s flexible, and it's intended to reach a negotiated settlement without having to battle it out in the courts.
This process helps families reduce the emotionally and financially draining experience of divorce. It often leads to greater satisfaction for the families, and a reduced likelihood of any future litigation. It is also a more confidential approach to divorce.
Unfortunately, too often cases in Family Law Court leave families more damaged, broke, and with final orders that are unfair and unworkable. Collaborative Divorce is a process in which the family takes charge of negotiating their Divorce, and other family matters, instead of leaving it to the courts.
In Collaborative Divorce, each party hires a specially trained Collaborative Divorce Attorney who is a legal advisor and settlement specialist. The family and the attorneys work together in a cooperative, non-adversarial process with a mutual goal of reaching a fair settlement of all issues.
Collaborative Divorces involve a team approach. Experts serving as team members work for both parties. Possible team members include:
Collaborative Divorces (and Cooperative Divorce methods) allow families to resolve divorce and related family matters in a non-adversarial setting that is more cooperative and friendlier. The Collaborative Divorce encourages open communication and cooperation between the divorcing spouses. It’s flexible, and it's intended to reach a negotiated settlement without having to battle it out in the courts.
This process helps families reduce the emotionally and financially draining experience of divorce. It often leads to greater satisfaction for the families, and a reduced likelihood of any future litigation. It is also a more confidential approach to divorce.
Unfortunately, too often cases in Family Law Court leave families more damaged, broke, and with final orders that are unfair and unworkable. Collaborative Divorce is a process in which the family takes charge of negotiating their Divorce, and other family matters, instead of leaving it to the courts.
In Collaborative Divorce, each party hires a specially trained Collaborative Divorce Attorney who is a legal advisor and settlement specialist. The family and the attorneys work together in a cooperative, non-adversarial process with a mutual goal of reaching a fair settlement of all issues.
Collaborative Divorces involve a team approach. Experts serving as team members work for both parties. Possible team members include:
- Mental Health professionals, who can serve as coaches to help everyone effectively communicate and participate in the process, and
- Financial Advisors to assist with financial issues.
Articles
Who makes the decisions in Collaborative Divorce?
How does the Collaborative Participation Agreement work?
Why do the attorneys have to withdraw if a settlement agreement isn't reached?
Who is a good fit for Collaborative Divorce?
Keith's Interview Discussing Collaborative Divorce on WGCU Radio
How does the Collaborative Participation Agreement work?
Why do the attorneys have to withdraw if a settlement agreement isn't reached?
Who is a good fit for Collaborative Divorce?
Keith's Interview Discussing Collaborative Divorce on WGCU Radio
Click here to watch videos and read what clients say about their Collaborative Divorce experience.