Collaborative Family Law
A positive approach to separation and divorce
Ending a spousal relationship can be an overwhelming, emotional experience. It also involves critical decisions about finances, property and perhaps the ongoing care of children. Settling these issues through the court process can often increase conflict between the separating spouses. The divorce can become about “winning” or “losing” rather than reaching decisions that are best for the family members.
Collaborative practice is a dispute resolution process that results in a legal settlement without going to court. Each spouse retains his or her own collaborative lawyer. Reaching a legal agreement through the collaborative process puts the decision-making about what is best for your family in your hands rather than leaving it to a judge, giving you greater control over the outcome.
Collaborative practice addresses more than just the legal aspect of separating
There can be many issues associated with ending a relationship. There are often feelings of grief and loss, confusion and anger.
In addition to having legal expertise, collaborative practice also puts relationship coaches, financial and child specialists at your disposal. All of these professionals work together to help you come to an agreement about how to restructure your family moving forward. Of great benefit, the collaborative process can give you the tools you need to navigate future relationships as well as the job of co-parenting with your former spouse.
Private and effective
By staying out of court, you can maximize your privacy with respect to the highly personal matter of restructuring your family. The supportive, non-adversarial environment of collaborative law allows families to make the best decisions possible in a legal agreement that will affect their lives for many years to come. It can foster more creative solutions than court.