Madison Collaborative Family Law Attorney

In collaborative law, a team of professionals helps parties reach a resolution of issues between them without the threat of litigation.  Separating or divorcing couples may use collaborative law to deal with co-parenting, financial, legal, and emotional issues.  The collaborative model also works well for unmarried couples who are separating and have property and/or child issues, and for couples who are crafting premarital agreements.

Each person retains an attorney who is trained in the collaborative process. The parties and their attorneys sign an agreement that includes promises to be forthright and committed to the process and to refrain from using the court system to resolve any disputes.  The parties reach agreement on the issues between them in a series of settlement conferences with the two of them and their collaborative counsel, often with the assistance of other collaborative team members.  If one party later decides to quit the collaborative process, then each party’s collaborative attorney must withdraw, and the parties must seek separate litigation counsel.  This requirement provides strong incentive for all involved to remain in the collaborative model until all of the couple’s issues are resolved.

Other potential team members include mental health professionals who may serve as coaches or child specialists, and financial specialists.  The goal of the entire collaborative team is to help the couple reach a resolution of the issues between them which meets the needs of all family members while minimizing the negative emotional and economic consequences of any separation or divorce.

I have completed substantial training in the collaborative family law model, and remain deeply committed to helping my clients resolve their issues effectively, creatively, and in a mutually respectful manner, using the principles of the collaborative model.

The Collaborative Process

Collaborative FAQs