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Lancaster Law Office
17503 Tenth Avenue NE
Shoreline, Washington 98155
Phone: 206-367-3122 |
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| Home >Divorce > Collaborative Divorce Process |
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| Collaborative Divorce Process |
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| By choosing a collaborative divorce process, you agree to avoid and not threaten to use the court to resolve your divorce issues. You employ specially trained professionals to help you settle emotional, financial, and parenting issues surrounding the end of your marriage. Each party attempts to pursue his or her highest and best goals for life and children, and to let go past disputes to the extent possible. The collaborative process emphasizes full voluntary disclosure, good faith, courtesy, and mutual respect. The partners govern negotiation content and pace. The professionals shape the process, keep the process safe for all involved, and provide alternatives and expert counsel. If the collaborative process fails and a party commences litigation, all the collaborative professionals must withdraw. None can assist either party; none can be called as litigation witnesses. The collaborative process may take a shape like that described in our collaborative process chart. |
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| The participants in a collaborative process are: |
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You and your spouse |
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| Each of you wants to come out of divorce respecting one another. Each of you wants the other to be financially solvent five years from now. Each of you wants both parents to have a vital relationship with your children. Each of you is willing to be transparent, to provide accurate information, and deal straightforwardly with the issues that arise. You want to save money, time, and public exposure. Each wants to reduce relational damage, stress, and senseless conflict. Each wants to preserve his own and his partner’s dignity. And you want to protect your children from emotional harm. |
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Collaborative Attorneys |
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| Litigation attorneys who believe court process does not help most divorcing couples seek special collaborative training. They create a safe space in which you can negotiate fairly. The attorneys work to protect your family from the dangers of your divorce. Each advises his or her client individually, but, unlike litigation, each nurtures a trusting relationship with your spouse as well. |
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Divorce Coach |
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| The parties hire a collaboratively trained counselor, social worker, or psychologist who helps them work through the emotional barriers to effective negotiation. |
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Certified Divorce Financial Specialist |
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| The parties hire a collaboratively trained certified public accountant with divorce specialization to assist them in identifying what assets and liabilities exist, and to strategize how to reach the parties’ financial goals in dissolution. Property settlement will result in a formal agreement and property transfers, including QDROs, that are required to effect the parties’ terms. |
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Child Specialist |
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| The parties hire a collaboratively trained counselor, social worker, or psychologist who interviews their children, discusses parenting issues with them, voices the children’s concerns, and helps parents reach consensus on protecting and parenting their children. |
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Vocational Specialist |
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| If a party has been out of the work force or must change jobs, the parties may hire a collaboratively trained professional to help resolve this difficulty. |
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Mortgage Specialist |
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| If the parties’ financial settlement requires access to real estate equity, a collaboratively trained mortgage specialist can offer alternatives in resolving financing issues. |
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Others |
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| The parties may require other specialized assistance, such as business valuations, psychiatric referrals, drug or alcohol treatment, individual counseling, or other professional assistance. |
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Facsimile: (206) 367-3109
Toll-Free: 1-888-367-3122
Info@lancasterlawoffice.com |
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17503 Tenth Avenue NE
Shoreline, WA 98155
206-367-3122
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