Collaborative Practice is a new way for you to resolve disputes respectfully -- without going to court -- while working with trained professionals who are important to all areas of your life.
Collaborative Practice or Collaborative Divorce (also called “no-court divorce,” “divorce with dignity,” “peaceful divorce”) enables you and the other party (person) the support, protection, and guidance of your own lawyers without going to court. Additionally, Collaborative Divorce allows you the benefit of child and financial specialists, divorce coaches and other professionals all working together on your team. One main reason Collaborative Divorce is different is because, in the Collaborative Process, the parties and their attorneys, begin with the sole agreement that they will NOT go to court to resolve their issues but will work together, collaboratively, to create solutions together.
Collaborative uses a team approach with each party has an attorney to advise them in the legal aspects of their agreements. The attorneys are experienced family law attorneys specially trained to work cooperatively instead of aggressively preparing for a court battle. The family law attorneys who have trained and work in the collaborative process, know from their experience, that their clients, and their children, benefit from an resolution that they have created themselves and in which they are invested. The Collaborative process also can include the assistance of coaches, who can be extremely helpful in the emotional issues affecting the reaching of resolutions, including parenting differences, and when necessary the assistance of a child expert and financial consultants.
In the Collaborative Process there is a distinct focus on fairness and respectful problem solving. Often most important, this process helps parents find ways to reduce the negative effects that their divorce and conflict can have on their children. Collaborative Practice keeps the focus on:
· Negotiation of a mutually acceptable settlement without having courts decide issues.
· Open communication and information sharing.
· Creation of shared solutions acknowledging the highest priorities of all.
