Collaborative Divorce is a new way for divorcing couples to resolvedisputes respectfully -- without going to court -- while working with trained professionals who are important to all areas of your life, such as attorneys, financial professionals, mental health counselors and parenting coordinators/coaches. The professionals work together, rather than independently, to help couples divorce in a respectful manner.
The "No Court" Divorce Option
The Collaborative Divorce option is different from the traditional divorce process in that both parties and their individual attorneys and other professionals commit themselves to resolving all issues of the dispute outside of the court system. All parties involved promise not to resort to going to court for ANY reason except to introduce their Agreement into evidence and obtain a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. All parties and professionals sign a contract to this effect`.
Advantages of the Collaborative Process
Advantages of utilizing the Collaborative Process is that you and your spouse control all of your decisions and the process. No one else, a lawyer, custody evaluator or judge, will tell you what to do. They will guide and counsel you and your spouse through the process but ultimately, you and your spouse will control the process.
Additionally, the Collaborative Divorce will conserve your emotional and financial resources. You will use your time and energy more effectively by utilizing separate attorneys but one, neutral financial expert, counselor/divorce coach and/or parenting coordinator. You have the potential to have a better co-parenting relationship in the future, emotional strength and communication skills, as well as financial expertise to help you and your spouse develop the best financial plan to move forward. You will have a Professional Team with unique professional knowledge and skills. Because your divorce has legal, emotional, financial and parenting problems to solve, your Professional Team is a resource in each of these areas.
The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely on advertisements. Before you decide, ask the attorney to send you free written information about his/her qualifications and experience. The Collaborative Divorce Lawyers Association of Palm Beach County is a non-for-profit organization and is not a law firm or attorney referral service.
