About Collaborative Practice

About Interdisciplinary Collaborative Divorce

What is Interdisciplinary Collaborative Divorce?

Interdisciplinary Collaborative Divorce, a branch of Collaborative Practice, uses an interdisciplinary team approach that integrates the legal, emotional and financial aspects of divorce. Based on the concept of generating the most favorable outcome for all family members, including children, the collaborative team assists in resolving conflict using cooperative strategies rather than adversarial techniques and litigation. This approach allows the parties to remain in control of the process, playing the key role in creating realistic and successful outcomes.

How Does Interdisciplinary Collaborative Divorce Work?

Similar to Collaborative Law where the attorneys and clients work together, Interdisciplinary Collaborative Divorce includes additional team members who are specifically trained to deal with the emotional and financial aspects of divorce. The full team includes: two attorneys, two mental health professionals acting as Collaborative Divorce Coaches, one neutral Financial Specialist and one neutral Child Specialist (when children are involved). (Qualifications of collaborative professionals)

Using team members' specific expertise, the family can successfully problem-solve in a way that saves time and money. In Collaborative Divorce, there are no expenses for wasted and unproductive time sitting in court, preparing motions or attorney negotiations with little to no input from the client. All interactions with professionals are geared to assist the couple in their creation of an amicable agreement that works best for the ongoing needs of their family. Families who create their own agreements are far more likely to cooperate and work through difficult issues on their own than those who have a settlement imposed by the court. Once an agreement is reached, no time is wasted waiting for a court date. Documents can be provided to the court without the need for clients to enter the courtroom. Even with the additional professionals, most cases are settled in a more cost and time efficient manner. As opposed to what commonly happens in litigated cases, at the end of the Collaborative Divorce process, healthy relationships between the clients, children and family members have been nurtured – we consider this priceless.

In Collaborative Divorce, both parties must agree in writing to make a good faith attempt to reach a mutually agreeable settlement. They must agree to uphold the three principles of Collaborative Practice which include: a pledge not to go to court; an honest exchange of information by both parties; and, a solution that takes into account the highest priorities of both parties and their family. Full disclosure of facts and information is required. Should either party decide to go to court, all professionals must withdraw from the case.

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