Collaborative Divorce
Collaborative law is a dispute resolution technique that can produce workable solutions to vexing family law problems. The process can bridge differences, and it puts each party in full control of the resulting outcome. Collaborative law is particularly well suited for issues involving child care and access, though it can be applied to most other family law disputes.
At Sherwin Mah Law Corporation, we utilize collaborative law to resolve all types of family problems, including child custody and parenting issues, child and spousal support, and property division.
To learn more about the process and to see if this process is suitable for you, contact our firm to schedule a consultation.
The Collaborative Law Process
In collaborative law, the parties to a family dispute and their lawyers agree to use the process to achieve a solution in a cooperative way. The parties and their lawyers meet in one or more sessions, engaging in an open discussion and seeking a mutually acceptable resolutions. The process can be used to resolve one particular issue, such as division of family property, or to achieve an overall divorce settlement. In this process, the parties and all those involved are committed to achieving solutions without going to court.
Multi-Disciplinary Approach
In the Collaborative Law Process, you may have the support of not just your lawyer, but also of professionals having specialized skills in dealing with the emotional and financial aspects of family law matters.
When parties have difficulty overcoming past pain and hurt, and emotional triggers stand in the way of productive discussion, certified mental health professionals can assist in moving past such conflict. We call these professions “Divorce Coaches” in the context of the Collaborative Law Process.
When one or both parties are intimidated by what the future may hold financially, we utilize “Financial Specialists” who can help demystify the numbers and help clarify the path ahead.
Divorce Coaches can also assist when you are faced with difficulties in transitioning children from one household to two. They can assist parties to develop successful parenting plans. Sometimes, however, things are not that simple, and the children themselves have issues to resolve and certain needs to be accommodated.
This is where a “Child Specialist” comes in. The Child Specialist is a neutral professional that focuses attention exclusively on the children, giving them the opportunity to express their feelings and needs. The Child Specialist keeps the parties and the rest of the team mindful of what is best for the children, and helps tailor any parenting plan to accommodate a child’s particular needs. The Child Specialist will be able to state, from the child’s perspective, what will work and what will not.
One might think, with the involvement of so many professionals, that the cost of the Collaborative Process would be astronomical. Actually, because the differing professionals all focus on what they are good at, the process is extremely efficient and cost-effective.
Is Collaborative Law Right for Your Situation?
However, collaborative law is not appropriate for every case. Before recommending it as a dispute resolution technique, Sherwin Mah will carefully review your situation and the factual and legal issues it presents. He will explain the process and its advantages, as well as its limitations. You will be able to make informed decisions about your case. Whatever the nature of your family law issue, Sherwin Mah Law Corporation will work diligently to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
Contact Sherwin Mah Law Corporation to arrange for a consultation about your family law matter.