Collaborative law provides a calm, transparent way to resolve matters together
Collaborative family law is a form of alternative dispute resolution, along with family mediation and family arbitration, helping couples avoid conflict during the divorce process. Through collaboration, you and your spouse or partner can work through family disputes arising from the breakdown of a marriage or civil partnership, with openness, respect, and a shared commitment to reaching fair outcomes without unnecessary confrontation.
Each person appoints their own lawyer who has to be collaboratively trained. You, your ex-partner and your collaborative lawyers meet to work things out face to face. You all sign a participation agreement that you wish to resolve the issues without going to family court.
At the beginning of the process there is an assessment of your motivation for wanting to use the collaborative process. At each meeting the agenda of issues is considered and dealt with in order of priority.
The advantage of the collaborative process is that it fits around you and the speed at which you want to proceed. Your respective lawyers are also able to deal with the divorce or separation process, and the financial order if these are agreed.
However, if there is any dispute about child arrangements, financial matters or the divorce settlement, then your collaborative family law solicitors will have to stop acting for you. They will not be able to represent you in court proceedings, and you will have to appoint new lawyers.
Within the collaborative divorce process, there is the option to include neutral experts such as IFAs and others such as mediators and counsellors who will support both parties during the difficult process of ending the relationship and finalising the finances.
Get started online today – Collaborative law helps you avoid court, reduce conflict, and resolve matters together with the support of trained lawyers.
Collaborative Law: A Case Study
Problem
My client and his wife both wanted a divorce. They lived in a valuable family house, had young children at private school, and were enjoying a comfortable standard of living.
Solution
They decided on collaborative law and had five collaborative sessions in all. Two of the issues that were equally important to them both were the child arrangements and where the pets should live.
Outcome
The divorce application, financial settlement and child arrangements were all agreed without having to go through the court process. My role in this situation was to find workable solutions that everyone was happy with.
My client felt comfortable enough that he could be completely frank and open in his conversations with me – an important factor when trying to achieve a successful outcome. Having four-way collaborative family law sessions where both parties and their lawyers could try to find a way forward was the key to resolving this case.
Collaborative Family Law FAQs
Do we have to be in the same room for every meeting?
While collaborative law is traditionally conducted face to face, meetings can be adapted where appropriate, including the use of separate rooms or online meetings if this supports constructive discussions.
Can collaborative law be used if communication is difficult between us?
Yes. Collaborative lawyers are trained to manage difficult conversations and keep discussions focused and respectful, even where communication has previously broken down.
How long does the collaborative law process usually take?
The timescale varies depending on the issues involved and how quickly decisions are made, but many families find collaborative law progresses more quickly than the court process.
What happens if we resolve some issues but not others?
If agreement is reached on certain matters, those outcomes can be recorded. Any unresolved issues can then be addressed through another appropriate family law process if needed.
Find out more about how we work or contact us directly to discuss how collaborative family law can work for you
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If you are in need of family law support, contact us today to arrange an initial telephone or online chat, in complete confidence, with one of our family law solicitors.
We’re here to relieve your anxiety and find the right solution to the problem you’re facing.
We can help you wherever you are based in the UK with our online services. Our family law solicitors are working from offices in Tunbridge Wells in Kent and Eastbourne in East Sussex.
We also have meeting rooms in Brighton and London.