Collaborative Law Process
Working together within a collaborative law dispute process is a common approach that many clients choose. A collaborative approach, a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”), continues to grow in popularity.
Clients selecting this type of approach want to reach an amicable agreement with the use of a team of professionals, not just lawyers. Teamwork is key in this legal dispute option as everyone works together for the common good. Clients can settle both civil and family disputes using a collaborative approach.
Who Is Involved in the Collaborative Law Process?
In this option, each party has an attorney specially trained in the collaborative process. The attorneys who engage in collaborative law help clients reach an agreement without having to go to court.
In addition, other professionals join the team as neutral parties that don’t take one side or the other. These professionals – divorce coaches, parenting specialists and financial neutrals use their areas of expertise to help facilitate resolution that benefits both parties.
Sometimes there is only one divorce coach and or parenting specialist. Other times the parties may elect to have separate divorce coaches and another mental health professional who acts as a parenting specialist. There is only one financial neutral that assists on a case as a general rule.
Benefits of the Collaborative Law Process
Clients who choose this dispute resolution option do so for the following benefits; to:
Work together cooperatively to resolve issues
Preserve the relationship between the clients during the transition and going forward
Have a plan moving forward that benefits both or all sides
Use the expertise of professionals and trained specialists to help weigh in on the issues discussed to make better informed and likely better quality decisions
Who Should Choose the Collaborative Law Process?
The collaborative law process is an excellent option for those clients who want to resolve an issue amicably with the assistance of valuable professionals (not just lawyers) and develop skills for better relationships going forward. Both sides can be assured that their voice is heard as they work with attorneys who participate with them in advocating on their behalf while modeling for them how they may work together going forward to resolve future disputes. Clients who choose this option are those who hope to preserve some kind of positive relationship with the other party in the future.
The collaborative law process also allows the parties to have more control over the entire process. The team sets the dates when meetings occur and paperwork is due. There is no court telling parties what to do or when to show up in the collaborative law process.
Decades of Collaborative Experience
Ms. King is a long time expert in the alternative dispute resolution. Her specialized training has allowed her to help clients reach agreements for many years now. Learn more about her experience in this unique approach:
- Founding Member
- Virginia Collaborative Professionals (VaCP)
- Collaborative Professionals of Richmond (CPR)
- Member
- International Association of Collaborative Professionals (IACP)
- Training & Development
- Actively teaches other professionals how to incorporate collaborative law into their practices
- Works with others to help develop the overall collaborative law process in Virginia since 2005
For more information about how the collaborative law process can help your situation, contact us today for a FREE 30-minute consultation.
