Collaborative divorce is an alternative process that removes the element of litigation and settles cases respectfully, transparently, and privately. Unlike a contested divorce, the Collaborative Practice dispute-resolution process is based on a pledge in which you, your spouse, and your attorneys contractually agree to negotiate a mutually acceptable settlement without having courts decide issues.
Your contractual commitments also include creating shared solutions acknowledging the highest priorities of all and maintaining open communication and information sharing. This is in contrast to a traditional litigated divorce, where you only communicate through attorneys and there are often fear, hurt feelings, and anger that make an agreeable resolution difficult.
Collaborative Advantages
The collaborative process is especially helpful for separated parents who are learning to work together in the best interest of their children. This process strives for creative problem solving, win-win negotiations, and resolutions that meet the needs of all members of your family. Collaborative divorce provides more satisfaction for divorcing couples and better results for children so you are less likely to go to court in the future.
The collaborative process also has the advantage of much more predictable and often significantly lower costs than contested divorce. Both spouses still have their own attorneys working on their behalf, but collaborative divorce involves a team of collaboratively trained attorneys, financial advisors, and divorce coaches from the beginning. This consolidates expenses rather than each party hiring individual professionals as needed.
The Collaborative Team
Throughout the collaborative process, each spouse receives individual legal guidance and advice from both their legal counsel and neutral professionals who support the team effort in developing creative solutions.
Our Attorneys represent client goals and interests to the team. They help you decide how to get a divorce in Kansas City and provide legal counsel and guidance for many of the questions that arise related to decisions made throughout the divorce process.
Our Financial Professionals, also known as Financial Neutrals, work with clients to gather financial information related to assets, liabilities, and budget data, (income & expense details). Working with the Financial Neutral provides financial understanding and financial awareness of the decisions each of you is asked to make throughout the process.
Our Mental Health Professionals, also known as Neutral Coaches, assist couples and families in transition with a focus on communication, problem-solving skills, and the development of a parenting plan, if applicable. The Coach works with the parties to identify and make the most of their strengths, assisting each party to be his or her best during the divorce process, while taking steps toward their new lives apart.
For more information about collaborative divorce and to learn if it’s right for you and your family, contact a Collaborative Practice team member at 913-380-2560 or click here.
