What Is Collaborative Divorce?

Collaborative Divorce is a voluntary and private way for couples to resolve issues with the support of their Collaboratively trained lawyers beside them at the table. Collaborative Divorce is a structured and supported negotiation and gives you an opportunity to resolve sensitive disputes in a confidential setting. There will be separate meetings with your own Collaborative Lawyer in between the joint meetings so that you can be well prepared for each discussion.

We help you identify your concerns, gather the information necessary to make fully informed decisions and assist in resolving your issues. We will identify tax issues, recognize that incomes change over time and build in protection so that you have a truly durable agreement.

What Do We Pay Attention To?

We listen and pay close attention to your needs, interests and concerns and what you envision as a best possible outcome.

We pay attention to your children – their ages and developmental stages, their personalities and what you see as their concerns.

We will exchange and review all relevant financial information, making sure there is full disclosure and complete understanding.

We will look at the legal issues and understand a legal framework. When you are fully informed, you can choose to follow a legal framework or to deviate from it if another settlement fits your family better. This is your family and your agreement; your needs and interests will be paid attention to.

Built In Legal Advice and Advocacy

Each of you will have your Collaborative Lawyer beside you to make sure you have legal advice and direct support at all times during the process.

Allied Professionals

Allied professionals can be brought on to bring their expertise to your Collaborative Divorce case – either by referral or as a part of your Team as circumstances warrant. I have worked with Financial Neutrals, Mediators, Mental Health and Child Specialist Neutrals to support couples in a Collaborative Divorce to great success.

The goal of Collaborative Divorce is to give you a safe and positive space to work together to design a settlement, tailored for your family. We work together so that you both can be at your best to craft your own agreement, rather than delegating authority to a judge you don’t know and who doesn’t know you.

Yes, the Collaborative Law Process be Used for More than Divorce

In addition to divorce, the Collaborative Family Law Process is appropriate for non-marital relationship agreements and break-ups, child custody and other parenting issues, pre-nuptial agreements and modifications. The professionals work together to minimize conflict and help you focus on what matters most. Contact me at 585-244-4239 or complete a brief online form to schedule a consultation.