Section 5.23 Description of Collaborative Family Law

• Library: Family Law Deskbook and 2014 Supp

A. (§5.23) Description of Collaborative Family Law

Collaborative family law is a relatively recent innovation in the alternative resolution of family law disputes, particularly dissolutions of marriage. In a collaborative family law case, the parties, as well as the attorneys, agree to work together to try to reach a resolution of the case before filing a petition for dissolution. They agree to:

· deal with each other in good faith;

· exchange all relevant financial information without formal request (or, for that matter, any request); and

· attempt to settle the case, primarily by engaging in four-person, five-person, or even six-person meetings involving the parties and their attorneys, as well as other professionals who are assisting the parties.

Frequently, in addition to attorneys, mental health and financial professionals are part of the parties’ problem-solving team. Because attorneys lack the...