Collaborative Divorce
A guide to the collaborative divorce process. Learn how collaborative law works, who is involved, the advantages it offers over traditional litigation, and whether it is the right choice for your situation.
What You'll Learn
- Understand the collaborative divorce process and its key principles
- Know the roles of the collaborative team members
- Evaluate whether collaborative divorce is appropriate for your situation
- Compare collaborative divorce to mediation and litigation
1. What Is Collaborative Divorce?
Collaborative divorce is a structured process where both spouses and their attorneys agree to resolve all issues without going to court. The distinguishing feature is the participation agreement: if the collaborative process fails and either party decides to litigate, both attorneys must withdraw and the parties must hire new lawyers. This creates a strong incentive for everyone to work toward settlement. The process typically involves a series of four-way meetings with both spouses and both attorneys.
Key Points
- Both parties sign a participation agreement committing to resolve issues outside of court
- If the process fails, both attorneys must withdraw, which incentivizes settlement
- All negotiations happen in structured four-way meetings
- Full transparency and good-faith negotiation are required from both parties
2. The Collaborative Team
Beyond the two attorneys, a collaborative divorce often includes a team of professionals. A financial neutral (often a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst) helps both parties understand the financial implications of various settlement options. A divorce coach (therapist) helps manage emotions and communication. A child specialist may be involved to represent the children's interests and help develop parenting plans. This team approach addresses the legal, financial, and emotional aspects simultaneously.
Key Points
- Each spouse has their own collaboratively trained attorney
- A financial neutral helps both parties understand financial implications
- Divorce coaches help manage emotions and improve communication
- Child specialists ensure children's needs are represented in the process
3. The Process Step by Step
The process begins with each spouse retaining a collaboratively trained attorney. Both parties sign the participation agreement and exchange full financial disclosure. A series of meetings follows, each focusing on specific issues. The financial neutral analyzes options, coaches help with communication, and attorneys provide legal guidance. Once agreements are reached on all issues, the attorneys draft a settlement agreement that is filed with the court for approval.
Key Points
- The process typically takes three to six months with regular meetings
- Financial disclosure is exchanged voluntarily, not through adversarial discovery
- Meetings are structured and agenda-driven to maximize productivity
- The final agreement is filed with the court like any other divorce settlement
4. Is Collaborative Divorce Right for You?
Collaborative divorce works best when both parties are committed to respectful negotiation, willing to be transparent about finances, and motivated to minimize the impact on children. It is not appropriate in cases involving domestic violence, when one party is hiding assets, or when there is a fundamental unwillingness to compromise. The cost is typically higher than mediation but lower than litigation, depending on complexity.
Key Points
- Both parties must be willing to negotiate in good faith for the process to succeed
- Collaborative divorce is not suitable in cases involving abuse or significant dishonesty
- Costs are typically between mediation and full litigation
- The process preserves relationships better than adversarial divorce, benefiting co-parenting
Key Takeaways
- The disqualification provision (attorneys must withdraw if litigation begins) is the defining feature that distinguishes collaborative law from cooperative negotiation.
- Collaborative divorce was developed by Minnesota attorney Stuart Webb in 1990.
- The Uniform Collaborative Law Act has been adopted in several states, providing a legal framework for the process.
Common Questions
1. What is the participation agreement in collaborative divorce?
2. How does collaborative divorce differ from mediation?
3. What happens if collaborative divorce fails?
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FAQs
Common questions about this topic
Costs depend on complexity and the size of the collaborative team. This is generally more than mediation but significantly less than contested litigation. The team approach means you are paying multiple professionals, but the process is usually more efficient.
Yes, you can switch to collaborative divorce at any point before trial. The court proceedings are put on hold while the collaborative process takes place. If an agreement is reached, it is filed with the court as a consent order.