Understanding Collaborative Family Law

Separate and divorce with dignity, respect, and privacy.

Collaborative Family Law is the “invention” of a Minneapolis attorney named Stu Webb, who in 1990 walked out of the courthouse and declared that from then on he would seek to resolve cases peacefully and cooperatively. Since then, thousands of attorneys and families have discovered that it is possible to separate and divorce with dignity, respect, and privacy.

Research now reveals that how a couple conducts themselves during a divorce has a far greater impact on children than the act of divorcing itself.

— Stuart G. Webb

The Collaborative Approach

Separating Together attorneys are experts in collaborative family law and, like Stu, have turned their backs on litigation, believing that the courtroom process is financially and emotionally draining, time consuming, and does long-term damage to children and relationships, and that for some cases in divorces is better to get resources such as a family lawyer to help with those cases.

Collaborative law principles require that the four people involved in the process sign a pledge (the “Participation Agreement”) to
– share information openly
– participate in good faith
– allow the attorneys to withdraw if they are unable to reach an agreement after four or five meetings.

At the first “four way” meeting, you and your spouse share all important information, which includes pay stubs, income tax returns, deeds, financial account statements, and credit card statements.

At subsequent meetings, Separating Together attorneys help guide you through a series of conversations about separation (if you are still living together)
– your children
– your cash flow
– your property and debt.

The goal is to reach cooperative solutions that take into account all points of view and that help put the puzzle pieces together.

The advantages of collaborative law include
– privacy
– control over the outcome
– less emotional turmoil
– lower costs
– the realization that divorce doesn’t have to bankrupt you or turn you into someone you don’t recognize

Instead, you can proceed to build a new life with your dignity, financial assets and self-respect intact.

Call us today to see how we can help you.

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.

— Helen Keller

Benefits of Collaborative Divorce

Many of our clients are children of divorce, and remember the emotional and financial toll it took on their family. This is not your parents' divorce.

You and your spouse control the timing of the process rather than a judge
Your children’s needs are considered at every step of the process
The cost of the collaborative process is more affordable and predictable than litigation
The process is private and voluntary, rather than public and mandatory
Communication and cooperation between you and your spouse is encouraged rather than prohibited
You are able to make decisions in an environment that is safe and supportive
You and your spouse focus on a solution that works for both of you, not just one of you
The process considers not only the legal aspects of divorce, but also the emotional, financial, and practical aspects
When the process is over, you and your spouse are able to maintain a cordial and respectful relationship