Collaborative Law

Collaborative divorce is the low cost alternative to stressful divorces. This process enables you to create customized solutions which serve your interests and based on your priorities. The collaborative process can be used to address issues surrounding separation, including settlement of finances, development of an appropriate parenting plan, or negotiation of child or spousal support; it can also be used to negotiate financial arrangements prior to marriage, in second marriages, or polyamorous relationships, and to provide greater certainty with respect to what will happen if a relationship terminates.

•Individuals negotiating in the collaborative forum can engage other professionals, such as communication coaches, child specialists, special needs specialists, or professionals who specialize in finance (including business valuations and income determination), tax, corporate law, or wills and estates.

•Experts are retained jointly to save costs and reduce conflict. Collaborative divorce provides a safe and private environment in which you can express your needs and negotiate a creative solution tailored to those needs.

•The lawyers taking part in collaborative proceedings agree that they will not go to court. This allows you and your spouse to maintain control of the process.

Why DM&H?

Separation and the accompanying negotiations can be very emotional, often resulting in feelings of hurt, powerlessness, frustration, betrayal and fear. Issues negotiated in the collaborative forum reduces the emotional impact, leaves you knowledgeable about your options, and focuses on a healthy outcome for everyone involved so you can make informed choices about money, housing, assets, and children. The collaborative lawyers at DM&H are highly trained and experienced in generating options, and providing advice and guidance throughout the process so that your relationships and assets can be preserved.

Collaborative Law FAQ

Why choose collaborative divorce?

Collaboratively trained professionals assist you in effectively expressing your interests while minimizing conflict, and help you to understand how each option for settlement will impact your future. All members of your chosen collaborative team will work together with all involved to find common ground and generate creative options to address differences of opinion, which in turn will help you to reach a private settlement.

Who should choose collaborative practice?

Collaborative practice is an ideal approach if you value a supportive and safe environment in which your point of view can be heard, and if it is important to you to maintain control over the cost, privacy and timeline of the proceedings. If you do not want to go to Court and want to reduce the negative impact on your health, your family and your ability to work and function, collaborative process can be used in a variety of situations including, short and long term marriages, second marriages, developing parenting plans, adoptions, negotiating child and spousal support and reviews of child and spousal support, marriages involving multiple businesses or a family business, and pre and post nuptial, and cohabitation agreements.

How is collaborative law different from other forms of alternative dispute resolution?

Collaborative law involves joint efforts toward finding common ground and a win/win solution to your post separation issues or prior to living together or getting married. Joint neutral specialists can assist to address unique aspects of your dispute, tailored to your needs and the needs of your family members. These specialists can remain available to you even after you have reached a settlement.

Our Collaborative Law Lawyers