Collaborative Model

Collaborative Practice provides families with effective,respectful ways to resolve conflicts. Collaborative Law cases can include divorces,legal separations or non-marital couple separations,custody issues,parentage actions,child support issues and other issues which directly impact families and family structures.

Attorney,client and allied professionals work as a team,meeting with you in a series of “four-way” or “five-way” meetings to address the needs of both you and your and your children. Everyone signs a contract to promise that they will not go to court or threaten court while they are working together. Information is shared voluntarily and everyone commits to work together in good faith to resolve the issues. The entire process is confidential,and controlled by the you,not the court system. The professionals are dedicated to helping you arrive at the solutions that meet your needs.

Collaborative Law is a structured process that provides an alternative to court. It is navigated by two separate attorneys,one for you and one for your spouse,each certified in collaborative law. These lawyers serve as advisors and advocates,committed to you,and each other,towards reaching resolution with integrity,fairness,and the best long-term interests of all involved. Together,through an open,cooperative environment,the single focus is working towards a settlement that benefits everyone.

By engaging in Collaborative Law you can focus more on what is important to you,your family and everyone’s future.

Collaborative Law can be used to resolve disputes in most family law matters:

• Divorce or Legal Separation
• Property Division
• Custody/Parenting Plans
• Child Support
• Maintenance/Alimony
• Paternity
• Pre- and post-marital agreements
• Relationship Agreements for unmarried couples

One of the major elements of the collaborative law divorce is the Participation Agreement signed by all parties at the beginning of your engagement.  The Agreement requires commitment to the process and a an agreement to avoid litigation.

Of course,by committing to the Participation Agreement,you are not giving up all your rights to be heard in a court of law.  Certain process are followed and you can terminate the collaborative process at any time.  Your lawyers will assist you in transitioning to appropriate trial attorneys.

For More information see: http://www.kingcountycollab.org/