Do you want to end a marriage without escalating conflict?

Your SOLUTION : Collaborative Divorce also known as Collaborative Practice

A divorce solution that works without litigation and court imposed resolutions. A constructive problem-solving team approach for people who wish to undertake their divorce in a supportive and respectful manner that does not inflame emotions. Ideal when you need more advocacy than mediation.

“I believe strongly in the Collaborative process… the parenting plan that came out of it was the best it could be and our children were the primary beneficiaries of this process. We arrived at decisions that we may not have come to if we had been in the typical divorce situation.”           Client.

Collaborative Divorce changes the dynamic of the process. Rather than have court imposed solutions, you work out agreements that are in the best interests of your family. The couple benefits from the team approach by using experts who work together to more fully understand the needs of the couple. Conversations between the team composed of attorneys, divorce coach (mental health professional), financial specialist and child specialist if needed, foster greater understanding, reduce blockages and speed up the process.

You control the divorce process. You and your spouse control the dissolution process and its outcome, rather than the court. The “Law” does not require that your situation must have a particular result. You and your spouse can create solutions that fit your situation, guided by the law not bound by the law. When your hopes and concerns are heard and understood, you usually can find solutions that are often different from those a court must impose. The collaborative professionals are there to help you along the way to craft a settlement agreement that works in the long term.

Collaborative Divorce requires voluntary production of information. Everyone involved commits to provide complete and accurate information, including all necessary documents. Everyone concerned will not to take advantage of another’s mistakes (a concept not typical in litigation).

Collaborative Divorce requires an Agreement that you and your spouse will not go to court. You, your spouse, and your team of collaborative professionals sign an agreement not to go to court. If, for any reason, either of you does go to court for a decision in your matter, your lawyers and coaches will not continue to represent either of you.

Is there a Downside? The most obvious downside is that if, for any reason, either you or your spouse terminate the Collaborative Divorce process and goes to court, your Collaborative Team is disqualified from assisting you in adversarial litigation. You may have to start all over again.

When Alyse was introduced to the team approach to helping couples divorce, she enthusiastically embraced the Interdisciplinary Collaborative Divorce model by taking the training in September 2005. As the Collaborative Divorce Coach within the team, she has helped numerous couples finalize their divorce in a respectful and dignified manner. She is a member of New York Association of Collaborative Professionals.