Collaborative Divorce
The following are some of the important principles that govern the Collaborative Process:
- Confidential process
- Both parties must agree to use the Collaborative Process
- Each party has separate counsel assisting them through the process
- Non-adversarial process where all the participants work together to reach a resolution
- A neutral financial expert can be utilized to reach creative and informed solutions
- A mental health expert can be involved to facilitate the process
- If the parties cannot resolve their dispute in the collaborative process, the attorneys are discharged and cannot represent either party in the court process.
- Requires honesty, open disclosure and financial transparency
Benefits to the Collaborative Process:
- Offers a confidential, dignified, family-friendly approach
- Provides child-friendly solutions and fosters healthy co-parenting during and after the process
- More cost-effective than litigation
- Expert fees and costs are dramatically reduced
- Faster process than litigation
- Ensures that both parties understand their finances
- Ensures that each client’s financial needs will be met
- Brings closure that comes with a mutual and fair agreement