Collaborative Law
Collaborative practice provides a customized, client-centered team approach through which families resolve divorce, child custody and other legal issues respectfully and efficiently, avoiding litigation and focusing on solutions to meet each family’s unique needs. It promotes a shift in dynamic from adversarial to whole family problem-solving. That is, instead of a focus on “which one of us will win?,” the collaborative process focuses on “how will our family best work through this difficult transition?”
The Collaborative Process respects your privacy, financial resources, values and time. All participants work together in a transparent, structured and supportive environment.
The Collaborative Process respects your privacy, financial resources, values and time. All participants work together in a transparent, structured and supportive environment.
What Are the Benefits of Collaborative Law Process?
There are many benefits to resolving disputes using the collaborative law process which include
the following:
There are many benefits to resolving disputes using the collaborative law process which include
the following:
- The team is mindful of the entire family, the likely negative impact of discord and the effect of the family transition on the children.
- Each party has the benefit of counsel during the process.
- The focus is future-oriented, not focused on past-events.
- The parties control the outcome, not a court.
- The process is private, and not part of the court record.
- The process is most-often less expensive than litigation.
- Information and documents are freely exchanged.
- Communications are direct which can limit miscommunications.
- Parties and professionals have the benefit of working as part of a team: Minimally, the team includes a legal advocate for each party, a financial advisor equipped with a firm grasp of the family’s financial picture, needs and goals, and a professional divorce coach whose skills help to keep the process moving despite foreseeable snags and trying stages.
Who might be on the Collaborative Team?
The team varies based on the needs of the family. In the majority of situations each party will have an attorney, there will be a neutral coach with a mental health background and a neutral financial specialist. Some people may opt to have additional professionals such as a child specialist. Each person on the team will have completed extensive training in Collaborative Law.
The team varies based on the needs of the family. In the majority of situations each party will have an attorney, there will be a neutral coach with a mental health background and a neutral financial specialist. Some people may opt to have additional professionals such as a child specialist. Each person on the team will have completed extensive training in Collaborative Law.
What else make the process unique?
In addition to the perspective shift, support and teamwork provided to the family, there is an important additional investment in the collaborative process sometimes called the “No-Court Rule”. That is, at the onset, if either party agrees that if he or she decides to abandon the collaborative process, the entire professional team, including the attorneys, are obliged to withdraw from the case. In other words, every single person involved is one hundred percent invested in helping you to achieve a successful outcome.
In addition to the perspective shift, support and teamwork provided to the family, there is an important additional investment in the collaborative process sometimes called the “No-Court Rule”. That is, at the onset, if either party agrees that if he or she decides to abandon the collaborative process, the entire professional team, including the attorneys, are obliged to withdraw from the case. In other words, every single person involved is one hundred percent invested in helping you to achieve a successful outcome.
Want to learn more?
For more information, including an instructive chart describing the differences between divorce options, check out our local Professional Collaborative Law Site serving Philadelphia and the surrounding counties: https://gocollaborativepa.com/collaborative-law/
For more information, including an instructive chart describing the differences between divorce options, check out our local Professional Collaborative Law Site serving Philadelphia and the surrounding counties: https://gocollaborativepa.com/collaborative-law/