Collaborative Divorce is an Alternative Dispute Resolution process that strives to preserve the emotional and financial resources of the family while achieving an agreement that considers and respects the welfare of everyone in the family. The Collaborative Divorce model provides divorcing parties the opportunity to problem solve in a private, confidential setting, with the help of their experts, to reach a creative settlement that meets the needs of their family.
In the Collaborative Divorce process, the divorcing couple sign a legal stipulation agreeing they will not go to court to resolve their differences. The couple works with a Collaborative Divorce team which helps and guides them through their divorce. Each party is represented by a collaboratively trained family law attorney and may also be supported by other collaboratively trained professionals such as divorce coaches, financial specialists, family law mediators and child and family specialists. The number of collaboratively trained professionals included on a team depends on the level of cooperation between the parties, their willingness and ability to commit to a healthy divorce, and the complexity (emotional and financial) of the case.