Specialists in Collaborative Law

Collaborative Law is a new area of family law not only in Arizona, but also in many other states as well . Collaborative Law is a team process. Law school trains attorneys to present their client’s case in the best possible light in order to win the case. To become a Collaborative Law specialist, an attorney needs to learn how to approach each family law case differently. The goal in this process is not to win, but to amicably settle the issues so that both parties are satisfied with the final agreement.

Attorneys Trained in Collaborative Law

Collaborative Law requires specialized training. Since this is a relatively new area of law, not many Arizona attorneys are Collaborative Law experts - but we are. When considering Collaborative Law to handle your divorce or child custody and support issues, you need to be sure that your attorney has the necessary training to guide you through the process. In Collaborative Law, your attorney has two roles in the process. Those roles are to guide and advise you as your attorney and the other is to educate you about the process.

A Collaborative Law specialist will listen to you. They will give you your options:

1. Conventional divorce requiring court appearances
2. Mediation or arbitration to resolve your differences
3. Collaborative Law to reach an amicable agreement satisfactory to both parties

If you decide that Collaborative Law is the best option for you, then your attorney will have you sign Participation Agreement. This agreement states that both parties will work together to come to an agreement. Both parties must agree that court action will not be an option. Both parties must acknowledge that the moment that either party mentions taking the issue to court, that the process ends and that both parties must find new legal representation.

Forerunners of Collaborative Law in AZ

Arizona Collaborative Law experts realize that in this process, your wishes are paramount. You need to be sure that your attorney has the proper training in this area to assist you. Your attorney must have the knowledge and expertise to:

1. Help you manage your emotions during this difficult process.
2. Enable you to communicate better with your spouse or partner.
3. Help you to establish individual and co-parenting roles and provide your children with a voice in the divorce process.
4. Assist both parents in devising a workable parenting plan that addresses your children’s needs.
5. Ensure that you understand your financial situation and assist you with financial planning to see you through the separation and divorce.
6. Assist you with the financial settlement so that meets your future needs.
7. Work with you during the negotiation process to reach that an acceptable agreement.

Let Our Team of Collaborative Lawyers Assist You

Collaborative Law addresses many and varied issues, a team approach is often used. At a minimum, the teams will consist of both parties and their attorneys. When necessary other specialists are included in the Collaborative Law process. The additional assistance can include a divorce (mental health) coach for each team, a child (mental health) specialist if there are minor children involved, and a financial specialist to assist the couple with dividing their finances and working out new budgets that take into consideration their changed financial situation are brought in.

Since this team approach is new for most attorneys, Arizona Collaborative Law Experts require specialized training. This training aids them in refocusing their thinking away from a court battle and towards an equitable agreement that both parties find acceptable.