Work it out together

Collaborative law is a team-based approach to separation and divorce. This process requires that you and your spouse each retain a lawyer who has training and certification in collaborative practice. Collaborative lawyers focus on problem-solving and help you and your partner develop solutions that best meet your family’s needs.

To take advantage of the collaborative law process, you and your spouse must sign a participation agreement committing to using it as an alternative to the court process.

Depending on the complexity of your matter, and the level of conflict and communication, the lawyers on your team may recommend other professionals participate. These professionals include parenting coaches, financial specialists, or business valuators.

While engaging multiple professionals on your team might lead you to think it’s a costly approach, collaborative law has proven to be less expensive than the court process. That’s because you will use the best-skilled professional for the issue at hand. For example, you might engage a parenting coach to assist in working out the best parenting plan for your family. This is a quicker and less costly path than having two lawyers go back and forth about your children’s schedules and arrangements.

Collaborative law also protects your privacy because when you go through the court process, proceedings and records are open to the public.

Learn more about the differences between collaborative law vs litigation.