Collaborative Law
In collaborative family law, each party hires a specially trained collaborative attorney, and other collaborative professionals as needed, and all work together in a cooperative, non-adversarial process. The process is defined by a specific set of principles and guidelines, the cornerstone of which is the shared goal of reaching a settlement of all issues which is an equitable compromise and meets the needs of both parties and their children. A binding commitment is made by both parties and their respective attorneys to voluntarily disclose all financial and other relevant information, to proceed respectfully and in good faith in settlement negotiations, and to refrain from the threat or use of litigation. Part of that agreement involves a directive from each of the parties to his or her respective attorney to provide advice and assistance in accordance with collaborative principles and guidelines. the agreement does not waive either party's right to resort to use of the traditional litigation process, but does require that if either party wishes to elect that option, both collaborative attorneys must withdraw and each party must retain a new attorney to represent the them in litigation.
Web Resources
www.collabgroup.org
collaborativepractice.com
alaskacollaborative.org
Other Resources
The Collaborative Review, journal of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
Tesler, Pauline. Collaborative Law: Achieving Effective Resolution in Divorce without Litigation. pub.: ABA Family Law Section
Cameron, Nancy J. Collaborative Practice: Deepening the Dialogue. pub.: Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia.
Manual for the Practice of Collaborative Family Law. Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin.