The collaborative process focuses on the goals, interests, and concerns of the separating or divorcing parties. The collaborative approach is a structured yet flexible process, using an interdisciplinary team of professionals, which assists the parties to reach a mutually agreeable resolution.  All team members are trained in the collaborative process, and committed to guiding you and your spouse or partner through the process, in a way that meets your goals, interests and concerns in a mutually agreeable way.  Each party has their own attorney, and financial professionals are jointly hired and neutral in their assessments, suggestions and recommendations.  Each party may have their own divorce coach, or one coach may be shared by the parties.  There is generally one child specialist, hired jointly, for those couples with chldren.  The child specialist may meet with the children one time, or several times if necessary.  Decisions about professionals and what is needed by the couple from them are made at the beginning of the process.

To begin, there are three basic principles that define the collaborative process:

• A pledge by the parties and the team members to reach agreement without going to court.  The pledge is part of a signed contract between both parties and their attorneys. If either party opts to go to court after the collaborative process has begun, both attorneys must withdraw from representing their client, and will assist their client in locating and transitioning to an attorney who will represent them in a litigated case.
• An honest and open exchange of information, including financial information, by both parties.
• A solution that takes into account the needs, priorities, and values of both adults and their children.

Mutual respect is a fundamental of the collaborative process.  You may cease being spouses or partners, but you do not cease being a parent or a human being worthy of respect.

Please continue to explore the website, to learn about the collaborative process in more detail.