Collaborative Lawyers of Alamada and Contra Costa


	"I have been involved in major business mergers and acquisitions that were easier than some of the discussions in my Collaborative divorce, but those discussions were essential and incredibly useful. The Collaborative lawyers and team were just great, and helped us come together for a fair resolution." - Client

In the Collaborative Process, attorneys, coaches, and other professionals assist the divorcing individuals in resolving their own conflict through cooperative strategies rather than adversarial techniques and litigation. In this way they create a safe environment for difficult conversations.

Each party is represented and guided at all times by his or her own counsel, who is an experienced divorce lawyer trained in the collaborative approach to solving problems. Four-way meetings are focused to reach a settlement that meets the legitimate needs of both sides. Specialists can be called in to assist in analysis and evaluation of financial proposals, parenting plans, or any problematical issue. Meetings may include coaches, neutral financial professionals, and child specialists. Four-way conferences continue to be utilized to exchange and clarify information and to brainstorm possible options for resolution. The couple and the team professionals focus on educating everyone regarding the underlying information, each spouse's interests and possible solutions. Each person's needs are identified and considered openly. Information necessary to make good decisions is shared and options are generated and discussed together in a respectful environment. Out of this process, a settlement can be fashioned which meets the approval of all clients.

Commitment to the non-adversarial collaborative model of divorce provides a private, more cooperative process which creates the opportunity for individuals to make well-informed and appropriate decisions for themselves and their family members. Decisions made in this way are especially beneficial to children: Parents who cooperate about their children protect them from the hostility and intrusion of the court process. The collaborative model facilitates joint decision making to create satisfactory and long-lasting solutions which result in less conflict in the future. It provides a customized team of professionals to address legal, emotional and financial topics. Collaboration during divorce can also save money when compared to a litigated dissolution.