Collaborative Divorce Process

There is a new movement afoot in divorce law. As everyone knows, divorce is costly - both economically and emotionally. One alternative approach that seems to be taking hold around the country is the "Collaborative Process." Essentially, both parties have lawyers (but not always). They enter into a contract, one clause of which requires that each party agrees not to file suit (a divorce) unless or until the process fails. The approach includes, depending on the parties, mental health professionals and a neutral party, arbitrator most times and can even include clergy, again depending on the parties' preference. The basic idea is to be parsimonious rather than acrimonious. The goal(s) of the process is tailor made for the parties involved.

Of those who voted on this page, 2/3 stated they would engage in the Collaborative Divorce Process. This is a significant number. While the CDP is not about to antiquate traditional divorce trial lawyers, hopefully it will help insulate some children from the maladies born of matrimonial acrimony.