Collaborative Practice helps parties resolve disputes respectfully—without going to court. In the Collaborative Process, each party has the support of an attorney by their side, as well as the option to call upon additional trained professionals, such as coaches and financial specialists. In the family law context, Collaborative Divorce is an alternative to the traditional combative divorce process that focuses on helping the divorcing couple and their family move beyond the divorce more productively and less painfully.
Collaborative Practice requires all parties to commit to work through at least some aspects of their conflict without asking a court to intervene and resolve the issues for them. The parties, together with their Collaborative Professionals, hold a series of face-to-face meetings in which they identify their interests and concerns, exchange all relevant material, and resolve all issues for the benefit of all adults and children involved.
Collaborative Practice puts decisions in the hands of the parties, fosters a safe, supportive environment, maintains privacy, and helps parties come to mutual and respectful agreement.
“As I received the Judgment of Absolute Divorce today, I couldn’t help but recall that day a LONG time ago when I first met you. I was a sobbing mess. I have such a clear recollection of that moment when you said, ‘There is a different way to do this’ and explained that with a Collaborative Divorce, the children will be spared having a judge, who had met with the parties for only a short time, making important decisions about their lives. I remember thinking: ‘There’s no way this will work.’ Thank you for your hard work, patience, kindness and everything else that it took to get us to the end of this process. We achieved the impossible because… [my husband] and I did collaborate on every single decision. And in the end, the kids are benefitting.”
a note from a mother wrote to her Collaborative Attorney and Coach