How do we collaborate?
The basic process involves four-way meetings with both parties and both lawyers. At the first meeting, the spouses will sign a Participation Agreement. They will commit to sharing information openly, to negotiating in good faith, and they agree not to go to court.
Then, the parties will identify the issues that need to be resolved and the questions that need to be answered. In the first four-way meeting and subsequent meetings, they will address each issue and work together to create options. The parties achieve settlement by agreeing on mutually acceptable options.
As part of the process, divorce coaches can prepare spouses to make the necessary decisions, resolve communication, parenting and other issues. The divorce coaches may meet separately with the parties, participate in four way meetings with the parties and both divorce coaches, or attend meetings with the parties and their lawyers. The parties can also jointly retain specialized professionals if needed, including a financial advisor or a child specialist.
A financial advisor can value a business, consider division of assets, provide advice on sharing income, pensions and insurance and other financial issues.
A child specialist can meet with the children and parents to assist the parents with post-separation parenting arrangements. A child specialist is a neutral party who will listen to the children in an unbiased manner and with the children’s permission, communicate the children’s views to the parents. The child specialist can advise on parenting that is age-appropriate and will best meet the specific needs of the children.