The collaborative process represents the outline of steps used in an alternate approach to divorce for couples looking to end their marriage by negotiating a mutually acceptable settlement without having courts decide the outcome. The collaborative process involves a team of professionals following the outline and working synergistically to achieve improved outcomes. The process is the means through which collaborative practice provides couples with a holistic approach to managing divorce.
As an alternate path to the often-used and seemingly traditional process of divorce litigation, collaborative professionals are specially trained to work with you through collaboration. Throughout the process, each spouse gains individual legal guidance and advice from their legal counsel, a certified divorce financial analyst®or financial neutral, and mental health professionals who support the team effort in developing creative solutions. Together, the professionals leverage collaboration to work with you and support your efforts in problem-solving.
Divorce can be messy, emotional, costly, complicated, confusing, & anxiety-provoking, but collaboration provides steps through which this alternate approach can make divorce also hopeful, future-focused, understandable, transitional, & supportive of your goals. Through collaboration, your team of professionals assists you throughout.
How, You Might Ask?
The process of collaborative divorce provides a forum for open communication, planning, settling disputes through problem-solving, and working with a team to develop creative solutions. The process of collaborative divorce enables participants to have control of decision-making within the divorce with the support of a professional team.
The hallmarks and principles of collaboration provide a framework, while the collaborative process provides an outline of steps.
It’s important to recognize that the use of collaborative divorce is not suitable for every divorce case. For more information about Collaborative Divorce, contact one of our team members to learn if it's right for you and your family.
During the consultation, if you decide collaborative divorce is the right option for you, our professional advisor will help you explain the process to your spouse. The advisor will send you an email you can forward to your spouse, that:
- Briefly summarize the process.
- Provides a link to our Collaborative Practice Kansas City website.
- Provides a link to the International Association of Collaborative Professionals website.
Remember, there’s life on the other side of divorce; you’ll make it through, and you’re not alone.
