Collaborative divorce offers a respectful, solution-focused alternative to traditional litigation. Working with trained professionals, couples maintain control over their divorce terms while avoiding the stress, cost, and acrimony of court battles.
Both parties sign participation agreement committing to collaboration
Each spouse has attorney, plus neutral experts as needed
Transparent sharing of all financial and relevant information
Series of meetings to address all divorce issues
Draft comprehensive settlement addressing all matters
Submit uncontested divorce papers for court approval
Legal guidance and advocacy for each party
Helps analyze finances and develop options
Advocates for children's best interests
Emotional support and communication help
Collaborative divorce works when both parties commit to good faith negotiation and transparent communication. While not suitable for cases involving domestic violence or severe power imbalances, it offers most couples a dignified path to resolution that preserves relationships and resources.
If the collaborative process fails, both attorneys must withdraw and new litigation counsel must be retained. This incentivizes everyone to work toward resolution.
Collaborative divorce typically costs 40-60% less than litigation, ranging from $5,000-$25,000 total depending on complexity, versus $20,000-$100,000+ for contested litigation.
Most collaborative divorces complete in 3-6 months, compared to 12-18 months or longer for litigated divorces. The timeline depends on the complexity and cooperation level.
No, each spouse needs their own collaborative attorney to ensure proper representation and advocacy. The attorneys work cooperatively but represent individual interests.
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