What is Collaborative Divorce?
Peaceful. Private. Respectful.
Restructuring Your Family Collaboratively
Collaborative Divorce is a peaceful, private, respectful process to resolve divorce which helps families create their own destiny. Collaborative Divorce Process meets the financial, emotional, social and other needs of divorcing families.
Clients who choose Collaborative Divorce engage a professional team that includes:
- A lawyer for each spouse
- A neutral financial expert
- A neutral mental health facilitator
The team helps you: learn everything you need to know to make the best decisions about your future; retain control over your divorce or other family matters; keep your dispute private; and plan a better future for your re-structured family—instead of battling each other in court.
How does Collaborative Divorce work?
Spouses may learn about the Collaborative Process from their divorce attorneys, counselors/mental health professionals or from financial advisors. Each family member engages a Collaborative attorney. A professional team is formed which may include a neutral financial expert and a process facilitator trained in the Collaborative Process.
The use of shared, neutral experts greatly reduces the financial burdens that accompany a traditional divorce. The team works together to help the clients:
- Learn everything needed to help make the best decisions about their future;
- Maintain control over the outcomes;
- Keep the process private; and
- Create a Parenting Plan for the children.
The Collaborative Process is efficient, economical, respectful and dignity-enhancing. The Collaborative Process empowers families to manage their own destiny, instead of handing over their future to a court.
Will Collaborative Work for Me?
The Collaborative Divorce Process works for almost all divorces—whether the spouses are committed to a peaceful resolution or focused on arguing. The Collaborative team works together with the clients to explore options until solutions are found that work for both spouses. The process helps spouses to embrace reality and commit to finding solutions. The Collaborative Process helps LGBTQ and unmarried couples and families resolve issues presented when they no longer wish to live together.
The Collaborative Process can be used to resolve divorce and:
- Parenting decisions (time sharing/custody and visitation)
- Alimony
- Child support
- Division of assets and liabilities (equitable distribution)
- Separation of unmarried parties
- Paternity
- Pre-marital and post-marital (separation) agreements
Does the Collaborative Process “really” work?
US Statistics on Collaborative Divorce
The International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) reports that 86% of Collaborative matters ended in a full resolution of all issues, while an additional 2% of clients decided to stay in their relationship. Even when a full agreement was not reached, substantial progress was often made on parenting issues and understanding finances.
Florida Collaborative Statistics
The Collaborative Divorce Process is being used in Florida for divorce, paternity, post-judgment, pre/post nuptial agreements and LGBTQ community family divorces. Most Collaborative matters take less than a year to resolve and many take less than 6 months. The typical divorce court process can take years.
How to Start the Collaborative Process
Talk. Share. Consult.
We know family matters are not easy. We believe the Collaborative Process can help resolve divorce and other difficult family disputes. If you want to learn more, or if you think the Collaborative Process may help you, please consider these next three steps as you determine the right solution for you and your family:
Step 1: Talk
Talk to the other person (your spouse, partner) about having a respectful and private process.
Step 2: Share
Share this website with your spouse or partner and extended family.
Step 3: Consult
Contact a Collaborative Professional in your community to find out more and get started today.
