How does Collaborative Practice actually work?
When a couple decides to pursue a Collaborative Practice divorce, they each hire Collaborative Practice lawyers. All of the parties agree in writing not to go to court. Then, the spouses meet both privately with their lawyers and in face-to-face discussions. Additional experts, such as divorce coaches and child and financial specialists, may join the process, or in many cases, be the first professional that a client sees. These sessions between spouses and their counselors are intended to produce an honest exchange of information and expression of needs and expectations. The well-being of any children is especially addressed. Mutual problem-solving by all the parties leads to the final divorce agreement.
When a couple decides to pursue a Collaborative Practice divorce, they each hire Collaborative Practice solicitors. All of the parties agree in writing not to go to court. Then, the spouses meet both privately with their solicitors and in face-to-face discussions. Additional experts, such as divorce coaches and child and financial specialists, may join the process, or in many cases, be the first professional that a client sees. These sessions between spouses and their counselors are intended to produce an honest exchange of information and expression of needs and expectations. The well-being of any children is especially addressed. Mutual problem-solving by all the parties leads to the final divorce agreement.
When a couple decides to pursue a Collaborative Practice divorce, they each hire Collaborative Practice lawyers. All of the parties agree in writing not to go to court. Then, the spouses meet both privately with their lawyers and in face-to-face discussions. Additional experts, such as divorce coaches and child and financial specialists, may join the process, or in many cases, be the first professional that a client sees. These sessions between spouses and their counselors are intended to produce an honest exchange of information and expression of needs and expectations. The well-being of the child(ren) is considered a priority. Mutual problem-solving by all the parties leads to the final divorce agreement.
When a couple decides to pursue a collaborative divorce, they each hire collaborative lawyers. Then, each spouse meets privately with his or her lawyer. The next step is usually a four-way meeting with both lawyers and both spouses. The meetings are designed to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and engage in joint problem solving. Additional experts, such as divorce coaches and child or financial specialists, may join the process. In some cases, the mental health or financial expert may be the first professional a spouse sees. These sessions, between spouses and their mental health or financial experts, help each spouse identify and express his or her needs and expectations. The well being of children is a priority.
When a separating couple chooses a Collaborative Practice approach, they each hire a Collaboratively trained lawyer and decide if they need additional Collaborative experts, such as coaches, child experts or financial specialists, to join (or work alongside) the process. The spouses and their chosen professionals sign a Participation Agreement undertaking to act in good faith, disclose all relevant information, put the children’s needs first, and look for mutually acceptable solutions. Negotiations take place in a series of settlement meetings where information is exchanged and an array of options considered. Mutual problem-solving by all the parties leads to the final divorce agreement.
