Divorce does not have to be acrimonious. Collaborative Model is an innovative, voluntary dispute resolution process in which parties agree to achieve settlement without involving the court. Collaborative Practice provides you and your spouse or partner with a team approach to resolving your issues, while also offering each participant the support and guidance of your own lawyer through the process. Divorce coaches, custody and financial specialists all work together with you and your lawyer to help facilitate resolution in a manner that promotes dignity and respect with a focus on the unique needs of your family.
In the Collaborative Model:
- The parties sign a collaborative participation agreement describing the nature and scope of the matter;
- The parties voluntarily disclose all financial and other information that is relevant and material to the issues involved;
- The parties agree to use good faith efforts in their negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable settlement;
- Each party must be represented by a lawyer who is collaboratively trained and whose representation terminates if either party chooses to leave the collaborative process and pursues litigation;
- The parties may engage mental health and financial professionals whose engagement terminates upon the undertaking of any contested court proceeding; and
- The parties may jointly engage other experts as needed.
In the Collaborative Model, core elements form your commitments to this process, which are to:
- Negotiate a mutually acceptable resolution without having courts decide issues.
- Maintain open communication and information sharing.
- Create shared solutions acknowledging the highest priorities of all.
If you are contemplating divorce or separating from your child’s other parent, our office can explore all possible approaches available to you, including the Collaborative Model, and help guide you to determine the approach that best addresses the facts and circumstances of your particular matter.