There has been a paradigm shift among some divorce and family law attorneys and related professionals (therapists and financial experts) to a form of practuce which is more respectful of the parties, and which promotes a cooperative relationship between the parties in their future dealings with each other, especially in cases involving children. I am a member of the Collaborative Law Institute of Georgia and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. I will post additional material in future paosts, but the following are some frequently asked questions and answers about the collaborative method of family law practice from the Georgia organization's website:
Q: What is the Collaborative Law Institute of Georgia?
A: In order to successfully negotiate the treacherous and painful path of divorce, collaborative advisors are needed- advisors who have expertise in specific areas of the divorce process, and who will guide families along the path so that at the end of the journey everyone remains whole. We are an alliance of divorce professionals from various disciplines who have expertise in specific areas of the divorce process. We recognize that the divorce process as it currently exists is divisive, adversarial, costly, and emotionally destructive to all family members. Our cooperative divorce approach can eliminate litigation, minimize divisiveness, reduce the adversarial component, decrease cost, and soften the emotional impact to families.
A: Collaborative family law focuses on all involved parties reaching a mutually agreed upon settlement of their disputes. The process results in valuable benefits. It creates a cooperative environment where communication remains open, which provides a setting where you can work with your spouse to meet your children's needs -- regardless of their ages. That helps set a tone for open communication and reduced conflict in the future.
It establishes a team instead of adversaries. Your lawyer supports you; your spouse's lawyer supports your spouse. But you all work together and, in doing so, retain control of the process.
In matters requiring expert opinions, both parties can jointly hire one independent consultant. That helps shorten the duration of the case and reduce the overall expense.
You and your spouse shape the agreements together -- which means you both are more likely to keep them. That diminishes the parental conflict the adversarial system generates and helps protect children from facing the anguish and divided loyalties that result.
You can schedule meetings without waiting for court dates. That means you generally spend less time and, as a result, less money to reach closure. It also means you reduce the fear and anxiety associated with court proceedings.
Your issues stay within the collaborative law setting. That gives you more privacy and greater confidentiality -- and less stress during an already stressful time.
Collaborative family law focuses on all involved parties reaching a mutually agreed upon settlement of their disputes. The process results in valuable benefits.
It creates a cooperative environment where communication remains open, which provides a setting where you can work with your spouse to meet your children's needs -- regardless of their ages. That helps set a tone for open communication and reduced conflict in the future.
It establishes a team instead of adversaries. Your lawyer supports you; your spouse's lawyer supports your spouse. But you all work together and, in doing so, retain control of the process.
In matters requiring expert opinions, both parties can jointly hire one independent consultant. That helps shorten the duration of the case and reduce the overall expense.
You and your spouse shape the agreements together -- which means you both are more likely to keep them. That diminishes the parental conflict the adversarial system generates and helps protect children from facing the anguish and divided loyalties that result.
You can schedule meetings without waiting for court dates. That means you generally spend less time and, as a result, less money to reach closure. It also means you reduce the fear and anxiety associated with court proceedings.
Your issues stay within the collaborative law setting. That gives you more privacy and greater confidentiality -- and less stress during an already stressful time.
Q: What Are the Benefits of Collaborative Family Law?
