What Are the Steps of a Collaborative Divorce?

By LACFLA Office Administrator | August 11, 2021

If you are looking for a stay-out-of-court approach, then a collaborative divorce might be the best path forward for you.

The collaborative process utilizes a non-adversarial, non-litigated, confidential approach to divorce.  In the collaborative process you will each have an attorney and may have other professionals such as financial or mental health experts for each spouse to work alongside with the end goal of coming to an agreement that everyone can agree to.

Here are the general steps that are taken during a collaborative divorce process:

  1. Both of you agree to look into the collaborative divorce plan instead of a chaotic, confrontational and public court divorce
  2. Meet with experts to learn more about the process and if it will be a fit for your family
  3. Determine who will be on the team – attorneys and perhaps a mental health professional (Communication coaches) and/or a financial neutral
  4. Sign a Collaborative Agreement and Confidentiality Agreement to stay out of court and work with all of the members on the team
  5. Gather and share information with the team
  6. If children are involved, you can work with a child mental health specialist and create a co-parenting plan
  7. Develop an amicable agreement
  8. Through your attorneys, you both will sign and finalize the divorce agreement, co-parenting plan and other needed documents

As you can see by the general steps above, a collaborative divorce is often quicker and more cost-effective than a traditional court divorce.

The end result is a more peaceful, respectful and confidential divorce that will keep your family unit intact and allow everyone to move forward in a healthy manner.

When you utilize the collaborative divorce experts in the Los Angeles Collaborative Family Law Association, we will help to assist you with your divorce and will work to help facilitate an agreement that both of you agree upon without appearing in court.

Call us today if you would like to learn more about how our members at the Los Angeles Collaborative Family Law Association can help you and your family through the divorce process.

Note: This information is general in nature and should not be construed as legal/financial/tax/or medical advice. You should work with your attorney, financial, medical or tax professional to determine what will work best for your situation.

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