COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE:  A CASE IN THE OFFICE - PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS 

 

Collaborative Divorce has been utilized by folks going through a divorce for more than twenty years. As   an attorney practicing in both Collaborative Divorce and traditional adversarial method, I see firsthand the benefits of Collaborative Divorce practice over the traditional method. I am writing about a current Collaborative Divorce case in my office. In this case, the parties and lawyers agreed in the first meeting they would use certain standards of conduct throughout the process. Standards such as openness, honesty, mutual respect and a willingness to listen. My client stated her objectives clearly in the first Collaborative session with her husband and the other members of the Collaborative team. She received support from all members of the team. She was able to listen to her husband’s objectives and see the value in his objectives. When my client had an emotional response, the divorce counselor (at the session) was able to assist her to bring her focus back into the session. In fact, the counselor was able to assist the parties learn to deal with their emotions constructively which has made the process work smoothly. 

 

The parties with their lawyers and one CPA have freely exchanged documents (there was one snag which is being resolved satisfactorily) at a fraction of the cost of exchanging documents in litigation. We are close to a settlement and I have a great deal of confidence we will achieve settlement. My legal fees to date are significantly less than they would be in litigation. Not a single threatening or condescending word has been spoken throughout the process. The professionals – lawyers, accountant and mental health therapist – have worked with a sense of getting this case settled in a way that works for everyone. What will life be like for the legal community when the public understands and demands that Collaborative Divorce as a means for resolution of their conflicts.

 

The celebrity community is getting on board. Just heard on the Collaborative Divorce grapevine: Comic actor Robin Williams and his wife are using Collaborative Divorce in their divorce.