Collaborative Divorce

Cherry Hill Collaborative Divorce Attorney

For many people, divorce is synonymous with warfare. There's battling over children, haggling over personal belongings. And in the end, all the parties often have to show for their turmoil are huge bills from their attorneys. * Excerpted from: Getting a Divorce Without Going to War

FROM THE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF COLLABORATIVE PROFESSIONALS (IACP):

"But it doesn't have to be this way. A growing number of parting couples. Along with other professionals such as attorneys, mental health professionals and financial specialists, have been seeking a more constructive alternative. These professionals have developed the Collaborative Model.

Collaborative Practice is a reasonable approach to divorce based on three principles:

1. A pledge not to go to court by having both parties and attorneys signing a participation agreement
2. An honest exchange of information by both spouses
3. A solution that takes into account the highest priorities for both parties and their children.

"Mutual respect is fundamental to the collaborative way. You may cease being spouses, but you don't cease being worthy human beings. When respect is given and received, discussions are likely to be more productive and an agreement reached more easily." * Excerpted from an IACP membership brochure

"It's good for the courts, it's good for the parties, it's good for the children, and it's good for the community.. This is a system that empowers people to resolve their own disputes, and to do it in a more creative and lasting manner than has ever been achieved by a court order." - Family Court Judge

What is Collaborative Divorce?

Collaborative divorce is a non-adversarial process which helps divorcing couples to amicably resolve disputes that is fair to both parties, so they can focus on positively moving forward with their lives. Collaborative divorce helps you settle your case without going to court. The benefits of collaborative divorce is that it helps you preserve your assets, protect your children from the trauma of divorce and your family's emotional well-being.

Collaborative law involves specially-trained attorneys such as New Jersey collaborative divorce lawyer Tejal V. Patel who work outside of the court system to help you resolve your disputes. This type of legal approach is done through a team-oriented structure. The other parties that may take part in this process may include trained professionals, such as mental health professionals, financial experts, children's health professionals, and other specialists who all work together to create a strategy that promotes fairness for all parties. Collaborative law can assist families to agree to work together to resolve such issues as visitation, child custody, child support, parenting plans, and property division.

In collaborative divorce, each party maintains their own separate legal representation while trained professionals assist the family through the divorce process and help them adapt to a new situation. Both parties cooperating in a collaborative divorce share the goal of reaching a fair settlement and an out-of-court resolution. As in divorce mediation, all records are not public so your privacy is fully maintained. Negotiations take place in a neutral environment, on a schedule that is agreeable to both parties. Collaborative divorce is quicker and more effective than a traditional divorce which means minimal pain and it is more cost effective.

Goals and History of Collaborative Divorce

The Collaborative Divorce Process is client-directed. It views divorce as a period of transition for the entire family. The professionals work together with the parties to make this transition as smooth as possible. The goal is to foster good communication between the parties and common goal-setting. This permits the parties to reach a settlement that works for all family members while maintaining stability for the children and promote positive family relationships going forward. Most importantly, the parties control the process, avoid the time and expense of court proceedings and have direct input into the outcome of their divorce. It is a win-win for everyone.

The practice of Collaborative Divorce evolved in the mid-1990's from work done by interdisciplinary teams in Minnesota and California. In the last 10 years, Collaborative Divorce has developed and grown internationally and within the United States as one of several methods of Alternative Dispute Resolutions that permits parties to move away from the traditional litigated divorce. Collaborative Divorce is practiced in all states in the US.

Collaborative divorce is used when mediation is not an appropriate method or when mediation breaks down between the divorcing parties. If you need legal assistance with resolving your divorce in a way that avoids the contentious and adversarial process involved in a contested, litigated divorce, it is important to consult with Cherry Hill collaborative divorce attorney Tejal V. Patel. In her practice, she uses collaborative law to facilitate a divorce resolution that may be reached faster, with less expense, and minimal antagonism between the parties. Ms. Patel is a member of South Jersey Collaborative Group which is an organization that helps South Jersey residents with the collaborative divorce process.

For more information on collaborative divorce visit our Frequently Asked Questions about Collaborative Divorce page.

Advantages of Working with a Cherry Hill Collaborative Divorce Attorney

Divorce attorney Tejal V. Patel is trained in collaborative law practice and is highly skilled at helping you to escape the negative consequences of litigation or unbalanced mediation. She is committed to helping you resolve your personal and financial issues and regain control over your life in a healthy and respectful way. With her legal assistance, you will be able to reach a divorce settlement based on your specific key financial and other personal information. No matter how complex the issues and emotions may be, she will help you achieve an optimal resolution that is in the best interests of the entire family.

If you are contemplating or already facing a divorce or other family law matter, I encourage you take a moment to look through our website and learn about Collaborative Law. I've provided other links to sites to help educated you on this remarkable new legal process. If after reading this information, you would like more information, contact Tejal V. Patel to schedule a free 30 minute initial consultation or about how she can assist you with a more collaborative and cooperative approach to divorce.

Are you looking for an out-of-court settlement to your divorce? Contact the Cherry Hill Divorce Lawyer at the firm to discuss your legal options today!