Collaborative Family Law

Collaborative Family Law is an alternative to court that lets you:

• Avoid the intensified emotions and conflict that court proceedings bring.
• Keep control of decisions over your life and future, and that of your children.
• Settle disputes in a constructive way to regain well-being and hope for the future.

Also known as Collaborative Practice, the Collaborative process allows you to resolve disputes respectfully.

Mutually Beneficial Agreements

In the Collaborative process, you and your spouse or partner will each have a Collaborative Lawyer and you may also have Divorce Coaches. These professionals will use their mediation skills to help you work together towards a common goal: mutually beneficial agreements for your future and your family.

A More Positive Outcome

In the Collaborative process, you and your spouse develop your own solutions to the problems you face, as opposed to handing the matter over to a judge who will make all the decisions. As such, the Collaborative process tends to achieve more positive outcomes, generating fair, practical and longer lasting solutions for both of you.

Divorce Coaches are an integral part of the Collaborative process, and more successful outcomes are achieved when they are involved. The process moves more smoothly and is less expensive, and family relationships are better served through the use of Divorce Coaches.

How is the Collaborative Process Different?

The Collaborative process differs from traditional separation and divorce in 4 key ways:

1. Agreement to Not Go to Court
   You and your spouse or partner agree in writing to resolve matters without going to court. This establishes the foundation of the non-adversarial process, and keeps you in control of the decision-making.
2. Open Communication
   In court proceedings, information is "demanded" and can be "ordered" to be produced. In the Collaborative process, you and your spouse or partner agree in writing to engage in respectful, open communication, and an honest exchange of information. This is essential for reaching agreements.
3. Four-Way Meetings
   In court proceedings, you and your spouse or partner may try to avoid contact with each other, sitting on opposite sides of the courtroom. In the Collaborative process, the two of you meet together with your Collaborative Lawyers and/or Divorce Coaches, in a series of face-to-face meetings, with the goal of reaching mutually agreeable solutions.
4. Team Approach
   A separation or divorce is difficult to manage by yourself. You may not know where to turn for support and advice. In the Collaborative process, you can draw on a team of skilled and caring professionals from the areas of family law, counselling, and financial planning. They help you and your spouse or partner navigate the many aspects of separation and divorce: the legal issues, the emotional pain, concern for your children, and the financial and property questions.

Guiding and Supporting You

Choose Collaborative Law if you desire guidance and support from professionals who are committed to working with you and your spouse as a team, to help you find constructive solutions to your legal issues and establish goals for the future.

Resolving Disputes Respectfully
© 2006 Collaborative Family Law Group of the Lower Mainland. All Rights Reserved.
Providing alternative collaborative family law and no court divorce resolution for Abbotsford, Aldergrove, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley, Ladner, Maple Ridge, Mission, New Westminster, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver, West Vancouver and White Rock.