The collaborative process is a reasonable approach to divorce based on three principles:
- A pledge not to go to court;
- An honest exchange of documents and information by both spouses;
- A solution that takes into account the highest priorities of both adults and children.
The key difference between a collaborative divorce and a conventional divorce is the pledge to reach an agreement before going to court. You and your spouse keep control of the decisions yourselves, rather than relinquishing them to a judge, who has only limited knowledge about the underlying details specific to your marriage and divorce. In order to retain control of those decisions the spouses, and their respective individual attorneys, consent in writing to participate in a respectful process that leads to an out-of-court resolution. With a collaborative approach to divorce, the goal is to develop effective communication, solve problematic issues jointly, prevent a court battle, and ultimately reduce the cost of divorce. If you have reached a decision about separation, you will be reassured to know that the Collaborative Divorce focuses on achieving the efficient resolution of issues. The collaborative model is designed to protect the interests of children and assist you and your spouse move forward with a fresh start. Instead of being an arena for the endless airing of grievances, the collaborative divorce approach encourages spouses to reach a workable settlement by building on remaining or constructed areas of mutual agreement.
For additional information, contact the office of Johnson Cook Abbott & Ahrens, PLLC.
