How Does It Work?

There are different paths toward divorce. 
Collaborative Divorce sets a new direction for the future.

How Does It Work?

Collaborative Divorce resolves issues through constructive discussions and non-confrontational meetings with partners and their attorneys and team members.
 

The collaborative process requires honesty by both spouses to provide all relevant documents and information relating to their issues. The collaborative process includes the use of specialists if their expertise is necessary to resolve issues.

Teams can include professionals such as financial professionals, mental health professionals, mediators and child development specialists. Both spouses and their collaborative team work together toward a shared resolution that recognizes their individual rights and accommodates the needs of their children.

If for some reason the Collaborative Divorce process comes to an end and the divorce heads to court, both parties release their collaborative teams and hire new attorneys and perhaps other professionals for courtroom proceedings.

Steps in the Collaborative Process

There are many divorce resolution options: mediation, litigation, and Collaborative Divorce.  Collaborative professionals are trained to help individuals or couples evaluate their options in a confidential, honest process. Once you have decided that Collaborative Divorce is a good fit for you, then you and your Collaborative professionals work together to identify your goals and values, and commit to working towards a resolution that achieves a desired settlement.  A Collaborative Agreement is signed whereby you and your spouse are agreeing not to go to Court.

 

Your Collaborative Team will help you gather, organize and develop the informational background and issues of your marriage.  This can range from financial and legal issues, to parental and emotional issues. 

 

Before the discussion possible settlement options, it’s important to understand all the facts and issues.  Your Collaborative Team will spend time working you and your spouse so that everyone can move forward from the same place of understanding.

 

Once all the information has been gathered and understood, you and your spouse will work with the Collaborative Team to brainstorm ideas for a settlement that meet your goals and values.

 

Your Collaborative Team is committed to helping you and your spouse make lasting agreements that both parties can live with and are beneficial to all family members, including children. Marital Settlement Agreements and Parenting Plans are written and filed with the Court in this step, although, nobody appears in Court – not even the lawyers.  Most families need guidance in implementing and managing their divorce agreements as time goes on. Collaborative professionals can help you adjust to your new family structure and help resolve difficulties you experience over time.

 
How It Works