Collaborative Family Law is a relatively new process that allows couples to resolve their family law matters by working together with their lawyers and other professionals in a collaborative manner. It is a highly effective and efficient way of resolving complex issues, including separation, divorce, child custody and support, division of property and spousal support.
For many people, Collaborative Family Law is a better option than litigation because it allows them to resolve their legal issues without the stress and expense of court battles. The collaborative process allows you to be heard by your lawyer, who will help you present your case in the most effective way possible. Benefits of Collaborative Family Law include:
Focused On Solutions
In a collaborative process, the focus is on finding solutions to problems that are mutually acceptable for the people involved. The parties are encouraged to find a way to resolve their issues without having to go through the stress and expense of litigation. This results in much less acrimony and hostility than typically occurs in a traditional divorce case.
No Court Costs Or Attorneys’ Fees
Collaborative law is less expensive than traditional litigation because there are no court costs or attorneys’ fees associated with it. You’ll also have more control over your case since there are no lawyers representing each side during negotiations.
Better Communication Between Spouses
One of the main goals of collaborative family law is for both parties to communicate effectively with each other so that they can reach an agreement about what’s best for their children and themselves after a divorce or separation occurs. This helps prevent any misunderstandings that could cause conflict later on down the road when it comes time for finalizing custody arrangements or dividing assets from marriage once it’s ended.
Emotions Are Addressed Openly
Participants in a collaborative process are encouraged to share their feelings openly with each other, not only because it’s necessary for resolving disputes but also because it can lead to better communication between spouses who might otherwise be unable to express themselves clearly or directly due to anger or other strong emotions.
Collaborative Law Agreements Are Kept Private
Another advantage of collaborative family law is the fact that everything that happens during the process remains confidential between the parties involved in the case. This is not true of other types of dispute resolution, such as litigation or arbitration.
If you choose litigation, your entire case file may become a public record and available for anyone to view online or at their local courthouse. The same goes for arbitration hearings — they’re often open to the public and media outlets alike, so if you’re concerned about privacy, this can be a major concern for you.
In collaborative family law cases, however, details about what happened during consultations between lawyers and clients are never disclosed publicly — even if the court orders disclosure through discovery requests or subpoenas (which hardly ever happens).
Calmness And Civility Are Encouraged
This is a major advantage of collaborative family law over other options for resolving disputes in a divorce setting. It’s important to be able to talk about difficult topics with as little drama as possible. This can be difficult when emotions are running high. Collaborative family law encourages all parties to speak calmly, candidly and respectfully with each other at all times.
Open, Honest Communication Is the Goal
Collaborative family law is built on open, honest communication between all parties involved in the process. The goal is not to win but to reach a resolution that works for everyone involved. This encourages participants to be as upfront as possible about their needs, concerns and desires so that everyone can work toward solutions together.
Both Parties Have Control Over The Process And Outcome
Both parties have control over every step of the collaborative process, from choosing a mediator to negotiating an agreement that works for everyone involved, in addition to their attorneys and accountants, if necessary. This gives both parties peace of mind that they’re making informed decisions about their futures instead of simply going along with what someone else wants to do with their lives and family’s futures.
There Is A Team Of Dedicated Professionals
Divorce can be a stressful and emotional process, but collaborative family law is designed to make the process as painless as possible. The first step in this approach is to bring together a team of professionals who are knowledgeable about collaborative family law. These professionals include attorneys, accountants, therapists and financial planners. This team will work together to help you reach an agreement in which both parties feel satisfied with their outcome.
Conclusion:
With divorce rates on the rise, and the trend of remarriage affecting family units across the globe, the concept of Collaborative Family Law has become an increasingly favourable form for handling contentious issues in marriage. With an emphasis on fairness and peace, these talented professionals work to resolve what would otherwise be a nasty and acrimonious process through focused communication. In the end, it is a win-win situation for both parties and their families.