Collaborative Divorce

In Collaborative Divorce, lawyers and spouses have one goal, the cooperative resolution of all issues—without the threat of trial. This goal is established ahead of time in a contract signed by you, your wife, and both attorneys.

In Collaborative Divorce, which should not be confused with Divorce Mediation, you and your wife each have a specially trained attorney at your side. (In many mediations attorneys are not present.) It is important to note, not all lawyers are trained or certified to practice Collaborative Divorce.

Both attorneys and spouses cooperate in gathering information necessary to resolve disputed issues. Since neither attorney need be concerned about trial, each is free to consider all options for obtaining a satisfactory resolution.

If one party decides to convert to the Adversarial Approach, both attorneys must withdraw, and certain information gathered in collaboration cannot be used in the adversarial process.

Collaborative Divorce is best for parties who trust each other and prefer to have an experienced divorce lawyer advocating for their interests.

Collaborative Divorce is often the least expensive approach since court appearances and delays common to mediation are avoided. (To compare and contrast the three approaches to a Massachusetts divorce see The Three Approaches to Divorce.)

I am a founding member and former director of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council. I am also a founder of North Shore Collaborative Divorce.