Collaborative Law Attorney in Sarasota

What is Collaborative law and the Benefits?

Collaborative law is a form of alternative dispute resolution that can be used in a variety of legal disputes, including family law cases like divorce, child custody, and spousal support, without going to court.

The collaborative law process in Florida starts with each party hiring their own attorneys who are trained and certified as collaborative law attorney. These attorneys will work together with the parties to identify the issues and interests involved in the case. The parties and their attorneys will then work together to find a mutually acceptable solution to the issues, often with the help of an integrated team of neutral professionals such as accountants or mental health professionals.

During the collaborative law process in Florida, the parties, their attorneys and neutral professionals sign a collaborative law participation agreement. This agreement sets out the ground rules for the collaborative process, including the requirement that the parties and their attorneys commit to resolving the dispute without going to court.

The collaborative law process in Florida is designed to be a cooperative and respectful process, where both parties are encouraged to communicate openly and honestly.

If the parties are unable to reach an agreement through the collaborative law process, then the collaborative attorneys will withdraw from the case and the parties will need to find new attorneys to represent them in court. This is designed to encourage the parties to work together to find a resolution, as there is a financial disincentive to abandoning the collaborative process.

Collaborative Law in Florida Divorce Cases Can Be Cost Effective

Control over the outcome: Collaborative law allows the parties to have more control over the outcome of their divorce. They work together with their attorneys to come up with a mutually acceptable agreement, rather than having a judge make decisions for them.

Cost-effective: Collaborative law can be more cost-effective than traditional divorce litigation because it can be faster and requires fewer court appearances. The parties are also able to share some of the expenses of jointly retaining experts or other professionals.

Private: Collaborative law allows the parties to keep their divorce proceedings private. Court proceedings are public record, but the collaborative process is confidential, which means that sensitive information does not become part of the public record.

Less adversarial: Collaborative law is designed to be less adversarial than traditional divorce litigation. The parties work together to find a solution, which can lead to less conflict and animosity between them.

Less stressful: Collaborative law can be a less stressful process than traditional litigation. It can be emotionally draining to go through a divorce, but the collaborative process can be more supportive and help to reduce stress and anxiety.

Collaborative Divorce Process

More creative solutions: Collaborative divorce encourages parties to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions that may not be possible through traditional litigation. This can lead to more tailored and mutually beneficial outcomes.

Focus on the family: Collaborative law allows the parties to focus on the needs of the family, especially any children involved. The parties can work together to find solutions that are in the best interests of their children, rather than having a judge make decisions for them.