Collaborative Practice

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Collaborative Practice is a "team" approach where everyone works together pooling knowledge, resources and ideas to create a mutually beneficial resolution for everyone.

Collaborative Practice, also known as Collaborative Law and Interdisciplinary Collaborative Divorce, is a way for you to resolve disputes respectfully -- without going to court -- while working with trained professionals who are important to all areas of your life. The term incorporates all of the models developed since Minnesota lawyer Stu Webb created Collaborative Law ideas in the 1980s.

The heart of Collaborative Practice or Collaborative Divorce (also called “no-court divorce,” “divorce with dignity,” “peaceful divorce”) is to offer you and your spouse or partner the support, protection, and guidance of your own lawyers without going to court. Additionally, Collaborative Practice allows you the benefit of child and financial specialists, family professionals, and other experts all working together on your team. 

In Collaborative Practice, you commit to:

1. Negotiate a mutually acceptable settlement without having courts decide issues. 

2. Maintain open communication and information sharing. 

3. Create shared solutions acknowledging the highest priorities of all.

Separation and divorce are sensitive personal matters. No single approach is right for everyone. Many couples do find the no-court process a welcome alternative to the often destructive, uncomfortable aspects of conventional divorce. 

Collaborative Practice is likely to be a workable option for you if:

· I want to maintain the tone of respect, even when we disagree. 

· I want to prioritize the needs of our children. 

· My needs and those of my spouse require equal consideration, and I will listen objectively. 

· I believe that working creatively and cooperatively solves issues.

· It is important to reach beyond today's frustration and pain to plan for the future. 

· I can behave ethically toward my spouse. 

· I choose to maintain control of the separation process with my spouse, and not relegate it to the courts. 

Does this path sound and feel comfortable for you? 

Talk to us about collaborative practice to help you make the right process decision.