| Getting a divorce can be one of the most stressful | | | | hearing. |
| events in a person's life. Listed here are 10 important | | | | 6. Outside parties involved in collaborative law can help |
| things that you should know about the collaborative | | | | reach settlement |
| legal process, designed to make divorce easier. | | | | During the collaborative process, outside professionals, |
| 1. A collaborative law agreement can help to avoid a | | | | such as accountants and social workers can be |
| court hearing | | | | brought in, in order to assist in discussing and resolving |
| In reaching an agreement to settle differences outside | | | | pertinent issues, such as the emotional wellbeing of |
| of court, using trained lawyers to help, you and your | | | | any children involved. |
| partner need not attend court to have your divorce | | | | 7. Collaborative law puts children first |
| finalised. This can allow both of you to move on to the | | | | If children will be affected by the divorce, the |
| next stage of your lives. | | | | collaborative process will put them at the centre of |
| 2. Collaborative law can help you and your partner | | | | negotiations, in order to ensure that their needs and |
| retain a good relationship | | | | emotions are safeguarded as much as possible. |
| With a focus on discussion and solutions rather than | | | | 8. Collaborative law can offer a quicker end to a |
| recriminations, collaborative lawyers can help you to | | | | marriage |
| sustain a relationship with your partner into the | | | | Rather than waiting many months for seemingly |
| post-marriage phase, and this is particularly important | | | | endless court appearances, working with collaborative |
| where children are concerned. | | | | lawyers can offer a smoother end to a relationship. |
| 3. Collaborative law is different from mediation | | | | Once an agreement is reached and signed, lawyers |
| In the mediation process, lawyers are not present at | | | | can then submit final paperwork to a court for |
| meetings between couples and their mediator, who | | | | approval. Neither yourself nor your partner need attend |
| remains neutral during the process. In a collaborative | | | | court for the proceedings, saving you time. |
| divorce, lawyers will be present at meetings to assist | | | | 9. Collaborative law isn't always the solution |
| yourself and your partner in setting an agenda for | | | | In cases where an injunction is in place on one partner |
| meetings, and in raising points to settle with sound legal | | | | or the other, for example, in cases of domestic |
| advice. | | | | violence, or if a legal claim needs to be brought before |
| 4. Collaborative law puts you in control | | | | a court, collaborative law is not an appropriate route to |
| Rather than a judge making a final decision on the | | | | take. |
| ending of your marriage, collaborative law allows you | | | | 10. Collaborative law offers closure on a marriage |
| to stay in control of your own affairs. You and your | | | | Instead of bitterness and confrontation ruining a post |
| partner set the agenda for meetings, with the help of | | | | marriage relationship between yourself and your |
| trained lawyers, who will guide you towards a | | | | partner, collaborative lawyers seek to keep functioning |
| settlement. | | | | and amicable relations between you, especially where |
| 5. Collaborative law gives you an incentive to reach a | | | | children are concerned. |
| settlement out of court | | | | Divorce can be an exceptionally stressful time. If it is |
| If agreement cannot be reached outside court, then | | | | right for you and your spouse, appointing an |
| yourself and your partner will have to appoint new | | | | experienced collaborative solicitor can make the whole |
| legal representatives. Collaborative lawyers, by law, | | | | divorce much less painful. |
| are not permitted to act for their clients in a court | | | | |