In a nutshell, the Collaborative law process is divorce without war. In that process, emotional issues are recognized as an important part of the divorce and healing process. Those issues, along with the legal issues, are addressed from a problem solving perspective. This problem solving perspective allows for greater creativity where each party helps to craft an innovative agreement that works for them. The process is also designed to allow a free exchange of necessary information and the use of outside experts regarding difficult decisions.
Collaborative law is a voluntary process in which each party retains a collaborative law attorney.
If the matter becomes contested and must proceed to Court, the Collaborative law attorney is required to withdraw from the case and a new lawyer must be hired. Issues are generally discussed through the collaborative law method in face to face meetings. Each case is treated as individual. Where there is conflict, outside experts are agreed upon by the parties and costs divided. These experts help to form a Collaborative law team .