Wright & Yonan is trained in the collaborative divorce process. Collaborative Practice is changing the way that family disputes are being resolved throughout the United States. It is a new way for a divorcing couple to work as a team with trained professionals, to resolve disputes respectfully, without going to court. The Collaborative Process can also be utilized by non-married partners, either before or post-judgment. The Collaborative Process is an alternative dispute resolution option that empowers people to resolve their own disputes in a creative and lasting manner. It offers a community of legal, mental health and financial professionals working together to guide, support, and educate clients as they seek to make informed, voluntary, and mutually acceptable decisions about their future without using the court system.

In a Collaborative case, the parties sign a written agreement to fully disclose all relevant information and to not go to court. Each party has their own attorney with them every step of the way. All negotiations are done with both parties and their attorneys present. In most Collaborative Process cases, Wright & Yonan stronglly recommends that each party have their own mental health coach. The coach is not the party’s therapist. Rather, the coach helps the parties communicate more effectively with one another and work through the emotional issues that are related to their case. The goal of the coaching is to help each party come to the negotiation table ready and able to communicate effectively to resolve their issues. The process may also include a child specialist and/or a neutral financial specialist. Importantly, when a child specialist is utilized in a Collaborative Process case, it provides children with a voice.

Each professional in a Collaborative Process case is looking out for the welfare of the entire family. Because the Collaborative Process allows each professional to stay within the scope of their professional competence, it maximizes the parties’ financial resources. This approach creates a supportive, problem-solving environment where the clients can negotiate their own agreements face to face, assisted by their team of professionals.

The goal of the Collaborative Process is to help divorcing couples work to achieve a mutually acceptable settlement that minimizes the negative financial, social and emotional consequences the family often experiences in the traditional adversarial process. The Collaborative Process represents an opportunity for clients to achieve their best at a time when circumstances frequently encourage fear of the worst. Through professional teamwork that involves clients working as partners, the possibilities for successful resolution are maximized.

The Collaborative Process removes the threat of “going to court." Because all of the Collaborative Professionals must withdraw if either party chooses to litigate, there are built-in financial, time, and emotional incentives for the parties to work together towards a mutually acceptable resolution of their issues.

For more information on how the Collaborative Process would be effective in resolving your family law issue, please contact Sarah L. Wright at (520) 512-5444.  For more information on the Collaborative Process, please view the following websites: www.collaborativedivorce.com and www.divorcewisely.com.