How does the Collaborative Process work?
The core requirement of the process is transparency. That means full disclosure must be provided by both parties. Everything said in meetings is confidential, not to be repeated or used in any court proceeding (or anywhere else). The parties are committed to resolving their issues without going to court. Issues and options for resolution are discussed in joint four-way meetings with both parties and both of their attorneys present. There are no secret lawyer/client strategy sessions. In the first four-way meeting, the parties identify broad, general goals and reasons for wanting to resolve their differences collaboratively (for example, to protect their children, to come out with enough money to pay living expenses, to be able to retire, to end up friends or at least to avoid increasing hostility, to settle a particular dispute without the stress, time, expense, or uncertainty of court, etc.). These broad goals are written down and referred to later, re-anchoring the process as necessa
