For a more amicable and cost-effective alternative to litigation, the collaborative process may be right for you.  Instead of working behind the scenes, your team meets together and commits to finding a resolution while keeping the control in your hands.

What is collaborative?  The collaborative team typically consists of two family law attorneys, a Financial Neutral and a Divorce Coach who is usually a mental health professional.  You and your team commits to resolving the issues collaboratively and not to go to court.  In fact, if you choose to litigate because you think the process is not working, then you have to start all over with new attorneys and neutrals.

The concept behind this type of ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution), is that it is a client-centered, interest-based settlement model, which in layman’s terms means that your collective goals and needs (interests) are at the forefront of all the meetings and there is a shared interest in resolving your case, not winning the case.

I was collaboratively trained in 2012 and have worked as a Financial Neutral on 12 collaborative divorce cases.  While that doesn’t sound like a lot, it is more than most CDFAs in the Massachusetts area.  I used this process for my own divorce so I feel strongly that it is the best alternative to litigation.  For people who don’t feel their voices would be heard in mediation, collaborative offers the best of both worlds.

To see the local collaboratively-trained professionals I work with, click here to go to North Shore Collaborative Divorce;

To read more about the collaborative process, click here for the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council;

To read an excellent article on ‘The Evolving Role of the Divorce Financial Analyst in the Collaborative Divorce, click here.