About Collaborative Divorce
The choices a divorcing couple makes at the beginning of their separation may determine the kind of relationship that the couple will have in the future, how their children adjust, and the cost and time it takes to bring a resolution. Divorcing couples experience a wide range of emotions – from anger and distrust, to sadness, grief, and anxiety. The collaborative approach permits people to better manage their emotions so they may make good choices for the future.
Unlike the traditional divorce situation, the collaborative process helps you and your spouse or partner make decisions together as opposed to “taking sides”. In traditional negotiation or litigation, the partners often engage each other as “opponents”, a dynamic that simply aggravates the divorce-related conflict, at considerable emotional and financial expense. Collaborative Law is a new way of handling family law matters where the couple and their attorneys agree to work together to resolve issues in ways that discourage adversarial approaches and litigation.
"In my Collaboration Practice, I help people resolve issues and make the transition from being married to single."
The Collaborative Law process seeks to:
- Help parties communicate calmly and openly with each other to express their needs, interests, and emotions appropriately.
- Bring resolution to issues arising out of the marital relationship.
- Encourage the parties to listen to each other and offer creative and workable alternatives that may or may not be available to a court.
- Provide an organized and transparent framework for the parties to discuss issues and reach agreement so that they can move forward with their lives.
At the completion of the process, and at the option of the parties, collaborative attorneys finalize a written separation and property settlement agreement, and file paperwork with the court to complete the divorce.
For more information, see the Frequently Asked Questions.
Linking Influence to Trust Behaviors: The Role of Warmth
“A growing body of research suggests that the way to influence — and to lead — is to begin with warmth. Warmth is the conduit of influence. It facilitates trust and the communication and absorption of ideas. Even a few small nonverbal signals — a nod, a smile, an open gesture — can show people that you’re pleased to be in their company and attentive to their concerns. Prioritizing warmth helps you connect immediately with those around you, demonstrating that you hear them, understand them, and can be trusted by them.”
—Spotlight on Influence", Harvard Business Review, July 2013