At this time Natalie is offering mediation services only
Collaborative Divorce is an effective process that involves both partners working together with a team of legal, financial, and counseling professionals to achieve a lower cost, less traumatic and mutually beneficial agreement.
Divorce Alternative
Collaborative Divorce was established in 1990 as an alternative means of dispute resolution. It is now accepted as the best option in Family Law for couples interested in maintaining a good relationship in the face of mounting stresses.
Shorter, Less Expensive Divorce
While each side still retains their own counsel, divorce costs are significantly reduced by having fewer steps, lower court costs, and reduced fees. Unlike contested litigation, this approach works to protect relationships between spouses and, indeed, the entire family. The emphasis on working together rather than working against each other allows for resolution to be agreed upon rather than enforced.
Amicable and Fair Separation
By identifying the needs and goals of each party to the divorce and the impact of this separation on the couple and children, professionals with legal, financial, and counseling expertise work to ensure that both parties walk away from the table with as amicable and fair an agreement as possible.
Lessen the Trauma
AÂ collaborative agreement is not the best solution for highly contentious divorces where each party is determined for victory whatever the cost. It is the ideal solution for couples who wish to retain some dignity and decorum in the midst of an otherwise potentially traumatic time of their lives.
Relying on which partner can procure the “best” attorney is a risk-laden route to deciding important facets of your post-married life.
Collaborative
Litigation
Who Controls the Process
You and your spouse control the process and make final decision
Judge controls process and makes final decisions
Degree of Adversity
You and your spouse pledge mutual respect and openness.
Court process is based on an adversarial system
Cost
Costs are manageable, usually less expensive than litigation; team model is financially efficient in use of expert
Costs are unpredictable and can escalate rapidly including frequency of post-judgement litigation
Timetable
You and your spouse create the timetable
Judge sets the timetable: often delays given crowded court calendar
Use of Outside Experts
Jointly retained specialists provide information and guidance helping you and your spouse develop informed, mutually beneficial solution
Separate experts are hired to support the litigants’ positions, often at a great expense to each
Involvement of Lawyers
Your lawyers work toward a mutually created settlement
Lawyers fight to win, but someone will lose
Privacy
The process and discussion or negotiation details are kept private
Dispute becomes a matter of public record and sometimes media attention
Facilitation of Communication
Team of collaborative practice specialists educate and assist you and your spouse on how to effectively communicate with each other
No process designed to facilitate communication
Voluntary vs. Mandatory
Voluntary
Mandatory if no agreement
Lines of Communication
You and your spouse communicate directly with the assistance of members of your team
You and your spouse negotiate through your lawyers
Court involvement
Outside court
Court-based
Who Controls the Process
Collaborative:
You and your spouse control the process and make final decision
Litigation:
Judge controls process and makes final decisions
Degree of Adversity
Collaborative:
You and your spouse pledge mutual respect and openness.
Litigation:
Court process is based on an adversarial system
Cost
Collaborative:
Costs are manageable, usually less expensive than litigation; team model is financially efficient in use of expert
Litigation:
Costs are unpredictable and can escalate rapidly including frequency of post-judgement litigation
Timetable
Collaborative:
You and your spouse create the timetable
Litigation:
Judge sets the timetable: often delays given crowded court calendar
Use of Outside Experts
Collaborative:
Jointly retained specialists provide information and guidance helping you and your spouse develop informed, mutually beneficial solution
Litigation:
Separate experts are hired to support the litigants’ positions, often at a great expense to each
Involvement of Lawyers
Collaborative:
Your lawyers work toward a mutually created settlement
Litigation:
Lawyers fight to win, but someone will lose
Privacy
Collaborative:
The process and discussion or negotiation details are kept private
Litigation:
Dispute becomes a matter of public record and sometimes media attention
Facilitation of Communication
Collaborative:
Team of collaborative practice specialists educate and assist you and your spouse on how to effectively communicate with each other
Litigation:
No process designed to facilitate communication
Voluntary vs. Mandatory
Collaborative:
Voluntary
Litigation:
Mandatory if no agreement
Lines of Communication
Collaborative:
You and your spouse communicate directly with the assistance of members of your team
Litigation:
You and your spouse negotiate through your lawyers
Court involvement
Collaborative:
Outside court
Litigation:
Court-based