Collaborative professionals usually work as a team. The team approach provides legal and financial expertise, as well as emotional support.
Family Lawyers find the out of court collaborative process ideally suited to divorce cases. Individuals facing divorce are each represented by their own attorney. Together they clarify each client's needs and interests, toward developing and negotiating a win-win settlement. Clients have the support to minimize conflict and work with their collaborative team to work towards creative solutions. This saves time, money and reduces stress. If they have children, they have the support to improve the communication skills needed as they raise their children from separate households.
Civil lawyers practicing collaboratively can help clients reduce the costs of settling disputes. By choosing a private, no court process, the clients maintain confidentiality and their privacy. Clients feel empowered by working actively with their attorneys to achieve a workable settlement rather than leaving decision-making in the hands of a judge or jury.
Probate/Estate Lawyers are finding the collaborative process well suited for resolving disputes, while preserving relationships of families and loved-ones. Trust and Will disputes can be painfully divisive to families. Since the parties involved frequently know each other and may well have on-going relationships, they can benefit tremendously by defusing a potential family feud. Trusts are designed to save family resources and conserve family property and assets. Litigation can undermine the intended purpose of the trust, or at least delay settling the estate. The collaborative process allows the family to be involved in settling their dispute with creative solutions addressing their specific needs.
Resolution of painful family disputes arising over care and finances of incapacitated parents or relatives also are better handled with legal counsel and coaches through an informal collaborative process rather than in a less sensitive and inflexible court setting and litigation.
