What is the difference between Collaborative Divorce and a conventional divorce, marital separation, or child custody proceeding?
A traditional contested divorce or marital separation proceeding is a civil lawsuit. One party files a Petition to commence the divorce proceeding and asks for everything the court could possibly award them. The other party then files a Response asking for everything the court could possibly award them. Lawyers then file respective documents, contentious claims, and motions, which may take the couple through a series of court hearings, and ultimately a trial, over a period of months or years.
