The Collaborative Process provides a safe environment for parties to find creative solutions efficiently and with dignity. It is designed to minimize the impact of separation and divorce on you and your children.
What is a Collaborative Process?
The Collaborative Process allows parties to find solutions based on their goals and interests. With the help of a professional team, the parties have the freedom and flexibility to problem solve and explore a wide variety of options to find the one that best meets the needs of their family. Settlements reached through the Collaborative Process are long lasting because they take into account the parties’ desires and the specific needs of the family.
How does the Collaborative Process Work?
Both parties must commit to sharing all relevant information with each other and to resolve their differences without litigation. The parties and their attorneys build a team of professionals to help the parties identify questions that need to be answered and to help them identify options that address their concerns. While the professional team guides the parties through the dispute resolution process, the parties decide what their path forward will be.
How does the Collaborative Process differ from Traditional Legal Divorce Process?
In a traditional legal process, each party is focused on his or her own goals and interests, each looking to gain a legal or tactical advantage over one another. If a case in the traditional legal process goes to trial, a judge makes the final decisions for the parties. In the Collaborative Process, both parties work together with their team to find solutions best suited for everyone.
Who is Involved in the Collaborative Process?
At a minimum, Collaborative teams must include an attorney for each party. Teams may also include coaches, neutral financial experts , and child specialists depending on the circumstances of the case. The entire Collaborative team is actively involved in the Collaborative Process.
What are the Benefits of the Collaborative Process?
The parties get to decide their and their children’s future together. The Collaborative Process provides a structure in which the parties can discuss their goals, interests, and the needs of their family in an open, supportive, and respectful setting. Unlike the traditional legal process, the Collaborative Process allows parties to share their viewpoints directly with one another in a safe environment. The Collaborative Process reduces the adversarial aspects of family disputes and moves the focus to the needs of the whole family.
What Kind of Cases Can Be Resolved with the Collaborative Process?
Parties can use the Collaborative Process to resolve any type of family dispute including divorce, property division, spousal support, child support, child custody, child visitation, post-divorce matters, and prenuptial agreements.
Will the Collaborative Process Work for My Case?
The Collaborative Process will work for you if you want a dispute resolution process that allows you to problem solve by exchanging ideas and developing solutions customized to you and your family. The forward-looking process maintains a focus on your goals, interests, and children.
Learn More About the Collaborative Process
The Collaborative Process develops creative, personal, and cost-effective solutions for your family. David L. Ginsberg and Stephanie J. Smith, are collaboratively-trained attorneys, and Dr. Leah Nathan is a collaboratively trained coach. Please feel free to contact David, Stephanie, or Leah to learn more about the Collaborative Process.