Here you will find a brief overview of the subject. If you wish a more in depth explanation go directly to The Collaborative Process section.

The Collaborative Divorce Process began to take form when lawyers noticed that dealing with family problems in the adversarial environment of the court system seemed to be an extremely destructive manner with which to address disputes arising out of separation and divorce.

"The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind." William James

Some counsel turned to mediation as a solution; others to arbitration. However, there still were individuals who were not being served satisfactorily. For some reason they were unable to use either of the above noted processes and needed a more compassionate and humane method with which to settle relationship disputes.

To deal with power imbalances which often make mediation or arbitration unacceptable, this process provides for each party to still have their own counsel to advise and assist them; to deal with the often extreme emotional environment during a divorce or separation, divorce coaches are included; to allow the children to have a voice and to assure they are not left emotional distrait, child specialists are available; and in situations where they are needed a financial specialist is available.

While this may seem to be a large number of people to involve in the divorce and separation process, it has been the experience of those practicing Collaborative Divorce that the cost is much less than those situations were an adversarial battle ensued.

If you wish to know more about this process and if it can work for you please contact us.