hat is Collaborative Law?
Collaborative Law is a cooperative problem solving process where the parties and their respective attorneys meet in four-way negotiation conferences to resolve all issues in the divorce, such as property division, alimony, child support and parenting arrangements. The parties and their attorneys sign a collaborative law agreement, which states that the parties and attorneys will work in good faith to negotiate and settle all issues without resorting to court. During the process, although the attorneys remain advocates for their respective clients, they share a formal and binding commitment to keep the process honest, respectful, and productive on both sides. If the four-way settlement process breaks down completely, and the parties elect to go to court, both attorneys are contractually barred from representing the parties in court. There is a built in incentive for both the attorneys and the parties to achieve settlement out of court.
