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What is Collaborative Divorce?

Collaborative Divorce, a new approach to divorce, offers couples an opportunity to separate with a minimum of bitterness and animosity. Instead of going in front of a Judge, the two parties and their attorneys sit down together to work out the details of the dissolution of their marriage, with the help of mental health professionals and a financial advisor. Each party has a lawyer and a divorce coach to assist them. The team works collaboratively with the couple so that divorcing spouses can reach agreement about the following:

• Division of Property
• Child & Spousal Support
• Co-Parenting Plan
• Children's Living Arrangements
• Marital Status

Both parties are represented by an attorney throughout the process. No court appearances are required, and all necessary paperwork can be completed by the attorneys. The primary objectives are to insure that agreements are mutually satisfying to the parties, likely to endure and promote the well being of the children.

The Collaborative Divorce process may work if you

• treat each other with repect and honesty thoughout your divorce.
• resolve disagreements with a settlement that meets your children's and your own reasonable needs.
• participate actively to create a system for future decision making.
• are willing to negotiate an enduring agreement.
• are committed to providing for your children's needs.

THE COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE TEAM

A Collaborative Divorce allows the parties to draw upon the expertise of various professionals trained to help them arrive at solutions which promote their long term best interest.

Attorneys
The attorneys are committed to the cooperative resolution of all issues. The attorneys facilitate negotiations while protecting their client's rights.

Divorce Coaches
Mental health professionals help each spouse develop skills and self-mastery so they may participate effectively in collaborative negotiations, develop sound strategies for co-parenting, and learn to address future issues reasonably.

Financial specialist
The parties employ one Certified Financial Planner™  practitioner to provide direction and assistance in gathering financial material, help them to design realistic budgets and propose various plans for distribution of assets and debts so that the parties may make informed choices.

Child Specialist         
If necessary, the parties employ a child specialist to provide an objective assessment of their children's needs with recommendations for a parenting plan, and to help the children express their own concerns.

Membership in the Collaborative Divorce Team is limited to experienced divorce professionals with specific training in collaborative resolution of disputes.

This web site was created by Al Frankel and Scott James