A Successful History Of
Handling Family Law Issues

Amicably Resolve A Divorce

Collaborative practice is a reasonable, respectful approach to divorce based on three principles:

  • It is a pledge not to go to court.
  • It involves an honest exchange of information.
  • If the collaborative process breaks down, all the attorneys and other professionals must withdraw and cannot go forward in a contested case.

Collaborative practice is designed to protect the interests of children and help spouses move forward with new lives. The process emphasizes cooperating to find solutions built on mutual areas of agreement.

Collaborative practice offers a supportive approach to the parties. You and your lawyer work as a team. Other professionals, including divorce coaches, child specialists and financial consultants, can become part of the team. The benefit of this approach is that experts in their respective fields assist the parties in finding constructive solutions to deal with divorce’s wide-ranging issues and establishing goals for the future.

Roles Of The Collaborative Practice Professionals

Lawyers

Lawyers begin the collaborative process by explaining the collaborative contract, putting together the ream of collaborative professionals and continuing the process by advising on matters of the law.

Divorce Coach

Divorce is a major life transition, marking the end of one part of your life and the beginning of another. A divorce coach helps you manage the emotional aspects of this time and helps keep the focus on goals for the present and future. Working with you to make the most of your strengths, divorce coaches assist you to be at your best during this process, which facilitates clear decision-making and taking positive steps into a new life.

Financial Neutral Consultant

A divorce agreement can determine your financial well-being for many years to come. It is critical that a financial agreement be appropriately structured. The guidance of a financial neutral helps the parties develop viable financial options for their futures. Your lawyer works with you and your financial neutral to incorporate a comprehensive financial plan into the divorce agreement.

Child Specialist

Children may suffer the most from a divorce and be least able to understand or express their feelings. One goal of using the collaborative practice is to ensure that children are a priority. The child specialist is skilled in understanding children and meets with your children (if appropriate and based on their age(s) and circumstances of the case) and assists them in expressing their feelings and concerns. The child specialist communicates the children’s feelings, concerns and hopes to the team for consideration when planning for the children’s futures. The child specialist works in conjunction with the divorce coaches to help structure a parenting plan the best suits the needs of the children.

Using Collaborative Practice Without Entering A Formal Agreement

You can use the tools involved in collaborative practice without entering a formal collaborative practice agreement. Especially if you want to keep your attorney, it can be valuable to use collaborative professionals without entering a formal agreement, which allows you to retain your attorney if the process breaks down.

Questions About Collaborative Practice?

For more information, contact the law office of Jody A. Miller, in Atlanta, Georgia.