Difference between revisions of "Collaborative Negotiation"

The collaborative process is a non-adversarial and voluntary process where each party retains a collaboratively trained lawyer and other collaborative professionals, as needed, to resolve not just the legal issues arising from separation but also the emotional issues.  The emotional issues of separation can often be an impediment to moving forward efficiently with the legal issues.  Divorce coaches (counsellors trained in the collaborative process) often work with the couple to manage the emotions typically associated with separation and finalize a parenting plan that best meets the needs of the children. A financial neutral (also trained in the collaborative process) can assist in reviewing all financial options for the couple. If a child’s voice needs to be heard a child specialist can be retained.  This may sound like many professionals however in the collaborative process we build the team to suit the needs of the couple and family.  This team approach is more specialized and is often a cost-effective way to deal with separation (rather than just leaving it all to the lawyers).  

The goal of the collaborative process is to assist the couple in reaching a reasonable settlement that restructures the family in the most positive manner going forward—recognizing that families continue and need to flourish despite separation.  Parents need to be able to continue to co-parent effectively after separation.