Collaborative Law and Divorce in Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Collaborative Law is a different approach to divorce. Couples seeking to stay at the negotiating table without involving the courts are often drawn to this relatively new method of traversing the divorce process. Below is a description of how Collaborative Law works, which I’ve reprinted from the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals website, to encourage divorcing couples to consider this more empowering divorce process.

Excerpt from IACP website:

Collaborative Practice is a voluntary dispute resolution process in which parties settle without resort to litigation.

In Collaborative Practice:

1. The parties sign a collaborative participation agreement describing the nature and scope of the matter;

   2. The parties voluntarily disclose all information which is relevant and material to the matter that must be decided;

   3. The parties agree to use good faith efforts in their negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable settlement;

   4. Each party must be represented by a lawyer whose representation terminates upon the undertaking of any contested court proceeding;

   5. The parties may engage mental health and financial professionals whose engagement terminates upon the undertaking of any contested court proceeding; and

   6. The parties may jointly engage other experts as needed.

Collaborative Practice provides you and your spouse or partner with the support and guidance of your own lawyers without going to court. Additionally, Collaborative Practice allows you the benefit of coaches, child and financial specialists all working together with you on your team.

In Collaborative Practice, core elements form your commitments to this process, which are to:

• Negotiate a mutually acceptable resolution without having courts decide issues.
• Maintain open communication and information sharing.
• Create shared solutions acknowledging the highest priorities of all.

Collaborative practitioners – of which I am one – have extensive, certified training in the process, which combines the best elements of mediation with the experience and insight of seasoned divorce-certified lawyers, financial planners, coaches and child specialists. I have found it particularly effective for couples with large estates or high-value assets to divide or complicated custody and/or support issues.

If you are interested in this alternative to divorce court, call my office for a free, first consult.