Collaborative Family Law

Many participants in the legal process, attorneys and clients alike, have become increasingly disenchanted with traditional adversarial litigation as a method of resolving family law disputes. The Collaborative Law movement has emerged in response to the sense of dissatisfaction felt by those involved in family law litigation.

The Collaborative Family Law Process is about cooperation, not confrontation. It is problem solving with collaborative lawyers where you and your spouse try to understand each other. You and your spouse are responsible for information gathering and solutions. Collaborative lawyers help you and your spouse to find and focus on your common interests understand each other's concerns, exchange information, explore a wide range of possible choices and reach solutions acceptable to both of you.

The Collaborative Family Law Process uses informal discussion and conferences to settle all issues.  It generally takes much less time and money to settle matters using the Collaborative Family Law Process. Central to the Collaborative Family Law Process is an agreement that both clients will treat each other with respect, listen to each others' perspectives, interests and concerns, explore all possible choices. You, your spouse and both collaborative lawyers sign a contract agreeing not to go to court. 

Both parties have skilled legal advisors at every step of the process.  Both collaborative lawyers understand how to reach creative settlements.  You are never on your own; your collaborative lawyer is at your side, explaining issues and helping you to achieve­ goals by mutual participation and agreement. The collaborative lawyers share with their clients a financial incentive to make the Collaborative Family Law Process work. The collaborative 1awyers have not succeeded unless they help you create a win-win solution.

 Both parties and their collaborative lawyers agree in advance to work only toward a settlement acceptable to both clients. Litigation can never be threatened. Neither you nor your spouse will be permitted to play games or take advantage of each other. The parties and collaborative lawyers work together as members of the settlement team, rather than working against each other as opposing parties.

Rebecca Perry has received special training as a Collaborative Family Law attorney.  If you would like to learn more about Collaborative Family Law please contact us.