A Collaborative Divorce is an out of court settlement process which helps separating couples to work through the issues with the assistance of Collaboratively trained professionals. We are often asked why a client should choose a Collaborative Divorce process. This blog will help to answer that question with 10 reasons why you should consider this process.

  1. All issues in the divorce or parenting case are resolved through a series of meetings between you, your spouse, and your Collaborative Team. These meetings are held in private offices – not in public courtrooms!
  2. During the meetings, you and your spouse will gather information, identify your goals and concerns, and negotiate a settlement that works for both of you and your children.
  3. You will control the pace at which your divorce or parenting case proceeds.
  4. You retain decision-making control over your family and your divorce or parenting case and you and your spouse, not a judge, will decide the outcome.
  5. All financial documents and other material information will be produced freely and completely, without the added cost and conflict that often accompanies production of information in litigated divorces/parenting cases.
  6. Your Collaborative Team will provide you with legal, financial, and emotional support to help you get through all of the various aspects of your divorce. Because divorce and parenting issues can be highly emotional, having the benefit of a coach in the process assists the parties in making decisions, preventing the emotions from getting in the way.
  7. The divorce or parenting process will be less stressful and have less animosity than often exists in divorce and parenting cases.
  8. This process will protect your privacy rather than revealing intimate details of your life in the public record.
  9. With collaborative divorce, you are more likely to keep the agreements you make when you and your spouse actively participated in negotiating them, improving the odds that you and your spouse will stay out of court in the future.
  10. Collaborative divorce can help to improve communication between you and your spouse, making co-parenting far easier.

Collaborative divorce is a respectful alternative to fighting in court. But it’s not for everyone. Your family lawyers will hear your case and help you navigate the best path forward for you.

If you have questions about a Collaborative Divorce or would like to proceed with a Collaborative Divorce, contact Attorney Cathy McKay or Attorney David Stamatis at Parnell, Michels & McKay, PLLC. They can help you to understand the process and decide whether the process is right for you and your family.