Collaborative Law
Collaborative law offers a NO COURT alternative. Separating or divorcing is never easy and when couples and their attorneys take a less adversarial approach, the entire family benefits. This process recognizes that relationships and obligations often continue long after a divorce has been made final.
The conventional process of divorce may drive parties even further apart. This necessarily takes a toll on the family and often it is the children that suffer the most. In the collaborative law process, the parties and their attorneys agree in writing to make a good faith attempt to reach a mutually agreeable settlement without court intervention. Working together, the parties are able to consider everyone's needs and reduce conflict.
How is collaborative law different from mediation?
In mediation, the mediator is a neutral who guides the discussion of the parties in an attempt to reach a settlement agreement. The mediator cannot give either party legal advice and cannot help either side advocate a position. If one side or the other becomes unreasonable, or lacks negotiating skill or is emotionally distraught, the mediation can become unbalanced.
Collaborative law was designed to deal with these problems while maintaining the same commitment to settlement. The playing field is leveled by the presence of a skilled advocate for each party.
