FAQs
COLLABORATIVE
What is Collaborative Family Law?
Collaborative Family Law, also called Collaborative Divorce, Collaborative Process or Collaborative Practice, is a way for a divorcing couple to work together with specially trained professionals to resolve disputes in an open and respectful manner, without going to court. In Collaborative Practice, the goal is to reach a mutually acceptable settlement of all terms of your dispute.
The Collaborative Process must involve attorneys for each party, but can also include neutral, non-attorney professionals with financial or mental health backgrounds. These neutral professionals are trained to facilitate and manage the team meetings in a way to move it toward settlement. All of the Collaborative professionals help the family restructure, and they each work very hard to remove the stress, delay and expense of litigation. If you choose the Collaborative Process, in Arizona you will not ever have to go to court.
What are the advantages of a Collaborative Law?
No single approach is right for every divorcing couple. In contrast to the often destructive and adversarial components of conventional divorce litigation, the Collaborative Divorce Process is a healthier divorce model because it appropriately addresses the emotional, financial and legal dissolution issues and helps clients develop more effective ways of dealing and communicating with one another.
Designed as an alternative to conventional divorce, a Collaborative Divorce offers many distinct advantages:
- You keep control of the process yourselves, without going to court.
- The proceedings are protected with full confidentiality.
- Children’s needs may be given priority.
- You and your partner commit to reaching agreement through a problem-solving approach.
- An atmosphere of respect preserves self-esteem.
- Open communication allows both of you to express your needs for moving forward and gives you new tools for effective problem-solving in the future.
- There is full disclosure of facts and information.
- Face-to-face meetings in the presence of specially-trained Collaborative Attorneys, Divorce Coaches, and Neutral Financial Professionals make negotiations direct and efficient and allow for mutually created resolutions.
- The Collaborative Process helps both of you plan for your own future and that of your children and to begin new lives for all of you.
Do I have to have a lawyer for Collaborative Process?
Do I have to go to court if I choose the Collaborative Process?
If my case does become a Collaborative Divorce case, am I required to retain a Financial Neutral or Communication Coach?
Why Should We Consider a Collaborative Team?
Will my case be able to resolve with Collaborative Process?
How is a Collaborative Divorce Different from a Conventional Divorce?
In a conventional divorce, parties rely upon the court system and judges to resolve their disputes. Unfortunately, in a conventional divorce you often come to view each other as adversaries, and your divorce may be a battleground. The resulting conflicts can take an immense emotional and financial toll on the family and can be especially damaging to the children.
Collaborative Practice is a non-adversarial approach. Your lawyers, and any other collaborative professionals who work with you, pledge in writing not to go to court. They negotiate in good faith, and work together with you to achieve mutual settlement outside the courts. The Collaborative Process eases the emotional strains of a breakup, and protects the well-being of children. Unlike a court process, Collaborative Practice allows you the opportunity to address emotional issues and consider more creative financial solutions.
What if I have a legal issue that must be addressed right away?
The Collaborative Process allows for immediate resolution of issues that are important to you or your spouse. In fact, many people who use Collaborative Process find that their concerns are more quickly and efficiently addressed than people who use the court system. Tell your lawyer if you have a concern that must be resolved right away – or just bring it up at the next meeting.
The goal of the Collaborative Process is to meet your highest priorities while also honoring the highest priorities of your spouse and the people affected by your legal dispute (children or other family members).
What Will My Collaborative Divorce Case Cost?
Clients should not select this approach simply as a “low cost” alternative. However, experience suggests that savings over a normal adversarial divorce may be significant. The cost of a Collaborative Divorce depends on a number of factors. These factors include the difficulty and number of issues to be resolved, the professionals’ hourly rates, the costs of getting the necessary data or information from others, and the amount of time you and your team needs to spend on your case.
However, the agreements that can be accomplished in each Collaborative Process case within a short period of time make Collaborative Process very economical compared with conventional court cases. Most Collaborative Process lawyers would estimate that legal fees of Collaborative Process are about one-third to one-half the legal fees of litigation.
It is reasonable to expect a clear explanation of the professionals’ billing policies. Attorneys, Communication Coaches, Child Specialists and Financial Neutrals will charge you for the time spent in conference with you, preparation for conference, telephone calls, and document production. While there are many factors which affect the total cost, far and away the biggest factor is how quickly agreement is reached.
Is Collaborative Process a faster way to get a divorce?
Collaborative Process cases generally resolve within about two to six months. Conventional court cases can require four months to more than two years. You and your spouse will determine how quickly your case is resolved, but factors in favor of quicker resolution include flexible scheduling and reduced conflict. Conflict is increased in conventional court cases, which can contribute to the length of time a conventional court case can take to resolve.
What if someone hides information or isn’t truthful or forthright, or misuses the Collaborative Process?
Whether your case is conventional court or Collaborative Process, people can hide information or be dishonest. In conventional litigation, the consequences for this conduct can vary depending on the judge. In some conventional court cases, the judge may not apply consequences to an allegation of dishonesty or deceit. In Collaborative Process, the consequence is the threat of termination of the process and the loss of legal counsel.
How Can I Interest My Spouse In The Collaborative Divorce Process?
If you are able to have a discussion with the other person about Collaborative Process, remind them of the values you share. Discuss the shared love and affection you have for your children in common or beloved relatives or pets. Discuss your desire to be fair with each other and minimize financial harm to you both. Finding shared values and vocalizing those values can help create the first common step to Collaborative Process.
Many spouses seem reluctant to consider Collaborative Divorce for the simple fact that he or she has never heard of the Collaborative Process. Encourage your spouse to learn more and suggest that he or she visit this website and the International Association of Collaborative Professionals website (www.collaborativepractice.com). Please contact any Collaborative Divorce Professional listed in the “Find a Professional” tab above or look at the “Resources” section on our Website for more information and additional material that you can provide to your spouse.
If my spouse/partner agrees that the Collaborative Process should be used in our case, what steps do we take next?
Collaborative Professionals of Phoenix
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