Collaborative Family law is an alternative process for completing your divorce. Both spouses must agree to use the collaborative process and must each engage a collaboratively-trained attorney. The collaborative attorney owes the same ethical duty to his or her client as in a traditional divorce process. Each collaborative attorney must withdraw if the collaborative process ends and spouses then retain litigation counsel.
The Collaborative process involves the participation of a neutral case manager (collaborative divorce facilitator) and a financial neutral in collaborative meetings. The collaborative divorce facilitator manages the meeting agenda, keeping the meeting efficient and on track. The parties will work with the collaborative financial neutral to exchange, organize and analyze financial data. The parties will work with the collaborative divorce facilitator, as needed, outside collaborative meetings to consider parenting options and/or defuse emotional issues which inevitably inform the divorce process but are more efficiently (and less expensively) managed outside the collaborative meetings.
When engaging in a collaborative process, spouses make written promises not to engage in or threaten litigation during the Collaborative law process. There are several agreements important for the success and management of the collaborative process. For other expectations of conduct during the collaborative process, see the collaborative forms link below.
Georgiana is committed to the principles of the collaborative process. It is her firm belief that every couple and family is benefited by avoiding court intervention. Georgiana has witnessed the benefits and reduction in stress and distress in both spouses and children in collaborative cases. Georgiana assists in resolution of spouses’ financial and parenting disputes through interpersonal cooperation and commitment to collaboration.
For a comparison of the Collaborative Process and Litigation, click here.
To review a selection of Collaborative forms, click below:
- Principles and Guidelines and Participation Agreement for Collaborative Divorce
- Additional Agreement Regarding Disqualification
- Expectations of Conduct
- Road Map to Resolution
Please attend the free seminar: “Colorado Divorce Alternatives” presented on the first Thursday of every month from 7:00 to 8:30. This seminar is currently presented via Zoom. To register go to: collaborativedivorceboulder.org