One of the striking differences in a collaborative divorce case is that the negotiations are conducted in "four way conferences" or "4 Ways" for short. In traditional divorce cases, negotiations are often conducted by the attorneys over the telephone. The attorneys decide what is important and where compromises can be made and then ask for your input.
Collaborative law, by contrast, conducts all the negotiations with the parties present. Because each party is represented by an attorney, there are four people at these settlement conferences. Thus, the name "four way conference."
When you've made the decision to divorce, even collaboratively, there are many issues that need to be dealt with early in the case. These immediate issues are usually the subject of the initial four way - issues like temporary support, living arrangements, temporary time sharing schedules. From there it is up to the divorcing parents to decide the agenda for the subsequent four way conferences.
Negotiating with both parties and their attorneys in person is far different than the typical divorce negotiations. No more attorney calls to "work things out." No more proposed settlements that you had no input into creating other than to say yes or no. Four way conferences are one of the true differences in a collaborative divorce.
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