Collaborative Divorce
Collaborative Divorce is a legal process with the following components:
NO COURT
Both spouses and their attorneys commit that they will not take the dispute to court. This allows everyone to focus on problem solving and reaching agreements rather than litigation.
CLIENT CENTERED
Each spouse’s personal, family, and financial goals and interests are highlighted and carefully considered as the spouses work toward a resolution on all issues.
INTER-DISCIPLINARY
In addition to collaboratively trained attorneys who provide legal guidance, spouses are also able to turn to family relations specialists and financial neutrals to address the family-related and financial issues.
TRANSPARENCY
There is complete, open and transparent communication between attorneys, other professionals, and spouses. The spouses commit to sharing all relevant information and documentation.
My Role in the Collaborative Divorce Process
In the collaborative process I am a member of a multidisciplinary professional team that includes attorneys and sometimes financial experts. I believe the collaborative process is the best way to end a marriage. It is respectful and sensitive to every family's unique needs. It empowers people to make their own decisions about their separation. The collaborative process is confidential until agreements are filed in court. It creates a safe place to talk about options, as neither me nor the attorneys can go to court to talk about the substance of our discussions
Within the collaborative divorce process, I serve as a part of the professional team as a family relations specialist. In this role I am a neutral professional. This role may include:
Assistance with attorney referrals to create a collaborative team of professionals that will fit your family’s needs and goals
Assistance with identifying and communicating your wishes during the process
Helping people reach livable compromises in the process
Guidance on parenting your children through the process
Assistance with creating a shared parenting plan that reflects your family’s priorities
Ongoing support with parenting after the process ends, as needed
Guidance on how the separation affects larger family dynamics, including adult children
Referrals to other mental health professionals as needed.
About the Process
You can find out more about the collaborative process by either setting up a free 30 minute consultation with me to talk about divorce options or scheduling a meeting with a collaborative trained attorney.
In the Cincinnati area, you can find these professionals online at the Cincinnati Academy of Collaborative Professionals website.