Role of Team Members

What is the role of the Collaborative Divorce Attorney?

Each person has a Collaborative Attorney. In individual meetings between each party and their attorneys, and in joint meetings with both attorneys and both parties, the attorneys will:

• Represent the best interests of his/her respective client while maintaining the overall goal of the collaborative process.
• Work with the other Collaborative attorney and the collaborative team to help the parties design a settlement agreement that is most appropriate for their family.
• Facilitate the settlement discussion and incorporate client agreements into the final settlement document.

What is the role of the Collaborative Divorce Coach?

Both parties have a Collaborative Coach who is a licensed mental health professional. In individual and joint meetings the coaches work with the couple to:

• Identify and prioritize each person’s concerns.
• Make effective use of conflict resolution and communication skills.
• Develop effective co-parenting skills.
• Create a realistic co-parenting plan.
• Work collaboratively with the other professionals to improve communication, reduce misunderstandings and solve problems as they arise.

The Collaborative Divorce process has demonstrated that families can undergo the divorce transition in an emotionally healthy way in which they learn how to interact and communicate with each other in a respectful, honest and open manner. Clients learn communication and self-management skills from their coaches. The couple uses these skills in their settlement discussions and in their post-divorce co-parenting relationship.

What is the role of the Collaborative Divorce Child Specialist?

The Collaborative Child Specialist works with the children and the parents to:

• Provide the children with an opportunity to voice their concerns regarding the divorce.
• Provide the parents with information and guidance to help their children through the divorce transition.
• Give information to the parents and the collaborative team that will assist the parents in developing an effective co-parenting plan.

What is the role of the Collaborative Divorce Financial Specialist?

The Collaborative Financial Specialist works with the couple to:

• Provide on-going, practical financial guidance, planning, support, and budgeting assistance throughout the divorce process.
• Assist with the discovery process, gathering income, expense, asset, and debt information and documentation.
• Assure that both parties have a thorough understanding of their current financial situation.
• Educate the clients regarding the short and long-term economic consequences of settlement options considered, enabling them to make fully informed decisions as they choose what is most appropriate for their situation.

In an atmosphere of openness and honesty, all assets are disclosed, needs are communicated, and solutions are explored.

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