Benefits

Collaborative Process Divorce Outcomes

Traditional Litigation Divorce Outcomes

• Husbands and wives, assisted by trained professionals, work toward solutions. All parties start with the desire to minimize antagonism and reach a settlement.
  
• A structured and controlled setting encourages trust and objectivity in the negotiations.
  
• Legal costs can be contained.
  
• All parties seek to protect children’s feelings and interests.
  
• Since there are no public hearings, confidentiality is more easily maintained.
  
• Collaborative professionals and spouses have the flexibility to craft more creative property and custodial arrangements.
  
• Negotiations occur in an environment and on a timetable agreed upon by the parties.
  
• Agreements can be reached more efficiently.
  
• Parties agree to settle at the outset, in a process conducive to helping them heal and move forward.
  

• A “win at all costs” legal system pits lawyer against lawyer, husband against wife.
  
• Continuing conflict aggravates existing painful emotions.
  
• Legal costs soar.
  
• As the conflict escalates, children suffer.
  
• Confidential financial and personal matters become public record and open to scrutiny.
  
• Judges divide property and establish custodial provisions using standards that may not meet families’ particular needs.
  
• Negotiations all too often take place in crowded courthouses under intense pressure.
  
• Proceedings may be prolonged.
  
• Most cases settle—but only after the damage has been done and substantial costs have been incurred.