What is Collaborative Divorce?

Collaborative divorce  is a process whereby spouses or partners, along with their attorneys, commit to resolving all issues associated with the termination of the parties’ relationship without going to court or threatening to do so. There is a common goal: to achieve a just, equitable and mutually acceptable settlement.

In a collaborative divorce case:

• The parties and their attorneys sign a contract in which they agree to commit to the collaborative process.
• Parties and their attorneys work as a team.
• Informal settlement and negotiation discussions occur with both counsel and clients in attendance, and are conducted in a non-confrontational atmosphere. These meetings are euphemistically known as “4-ways”.
• Information gathering is done cooperatively.
• Additional members of the team may include coaches, financial planners, child specialists, CPA’s, business evaluators, parenting evaluators, accountants, mediators, and others, who may become involved to assist in the decision-making process.
• All participants strive to arrive at a settlement that meets the needs and interests of each party and the family.