Divorce Options
Collaborative divorce attorney
The collaborative divorce is similar to negotiating a business deal. The attorney’s role is to further the client’s agenda in a cooperative manner. The collaborative team is educated on the desires of both parties and it is their collective goal to achieve an outcome with which both parties are equally satisfied. This is the fundamental difference between litigation and collaborative practice.
Inter-disciplinary team approach
The typical collaborative divorce employs a team of like-minded professionals to assist the parties in resolving the specific issues that are part of the divorce process. All collaborative professionals are licensed and are subject to professional ethical rules of conduct and competency. The team includes:
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Communication between team members and clients
When the attorneys and the clients meet it is important in that the parties create a mission statement for their divorce process. This statement of shared values will be communicated to the coaches and will be revisited from time to time to help the parties stay focused.
The professional team meets as a group usually after each party has met with the team individually and the issues are identified and clear to all. It is during this meeting that the team assesses immediate and long term needs of the family (as identified by the clients and the professionals). Your needs and expectations are shared with the group as are your spouse’s needs and expectations.
Confidentiality and full disclosure
Some concerns clients have about the collaborative process is how to know whether confidential information will be communicated to the other party and whether the other party is being honest. Full disclosure with regard to finances and children’s issues is the foundation for confidence in the process. Parties, who do not want to litigate, are wise to be honest in the collaborative process or other wise risk litigation which will be greatly exacerbated by the deception that occurred in the collaborative process. The financial professional is usually able to identify those areas where deception could occur and is vigilant for signs that a party has not disclosed everything.
Useful links
Divorcesource.com A comprehensive state-by-state divorce informational network.
Divorcenet.com Click here for the Georgia-specific section of this network
Betterdivorce.com An extension of DivorceSource.com offering information sources and professional listings
Divorcesupport.com More resources and information on divorce
State Vital Records Georgia Department of Public Health
Contact us today
If you are involved in a divorce, contact Delia T. Crouch today.
