Keeping Your Divorce Out of Court by Taking a Collaborative Approach.

When a couple decides to part ways, the emotional and practical challenges can seem insurmountable, with the prospect of adversarial court battles adding to the already painful process.

However, there’s an alternative that allows couples to separate with dignity and respect: collaborative law.

Myself and Anne Lewis are lawyers who are specially trained in the field of collaborative law, which means we are experts at helping couples work towards a separation by agreement rather than going to court.

Below I share 10 reasons why it’s worth asking your lawyer about collaborative law.

1. It’s your solution

The whole process is geared to what you want to achieve, not what the lawyers say or what the judge imposes.

2. Nothing is off limits

You set the agenda. Discussions can take place about everything including the family pets and of course the children, ensuring cooperative joint parenting.

3. Private

Your financial details are not passed around the county court or aired in a hearing where the press can be present, leading to unwanted articles in the local newspaper or on social media.

4. Court is out of the question

Everyone signs up to an agreement not to go to court, but to resolve matters amicably by direct discussion rather than confrontation or litigation.

5. No more letters

Expensive emotionally and financially, when things are written in black and white they are more permanent. The stream of correspondence can seem endless and detaches you from the process.

6. Mutual respect and improved communication

Discussions can be emotional but that’s OK. Feelings can be expressed, acknowledged and often that is what is needed to enable you to concentrate on practical issues. Lawyers advise you both directly in the meetings so everything is transparent.

7. Tailor-made advice

Throughout the process and especially in the meetings, the advice from the lawyers, and if need be from expert, but neutral, pensions advisors, valuers, accountants and independent financial advisors, is purely for you.

8. You decide the pace

You decide when and where meetings take place, which often speeds up the process and always fits into your schedule.

9. Direct control and involvement

It is your process and you drive it forward. You and your partner deal with issues of your choosing first-hand, supported by your collaborative lawyers.

10. Proportionate costs and swift resolution

Often disclosure and other court procedures can be tailored to avoid completing lengthy court forms, saving costs and time.

Collaborative law is an increasingly popular way of resolving domestic conflict, so why not contact us to see whether it can work for you?