Consult a Collaborative Attorney
One of the first steps is to talk with a collaborative attorney to learn more about the collaborative law process and to create a plan to resolve your family law issue. You can contact collaborative attorneys by phone or in person. In order to make sure you are comfortable with an attorney, try to meet him or her in person. Remember that hiring an attorney is one of the most important steps in the collaborative law process because he or she will be your primary resource for legal knowledge, analyzing options and consequences, and assisting in a productive negotiation. Therefore, take time to find the attorney that is right for you.
Introduce the idea of Collaborative Law to your spouse or the other party.
is important that both parties believe the best way to resolve a family law issue is through the collaborative law process. Knowing the importance of the issue and realizing the benefits and responsibilities of using the collaborative law process will ensure that a resolution is built with as little damage as possible to an individual’s finances, emotional health, and relationships. If your relationship with your spouse or other party is approachable, you may want to give him or her information about the process or website references directly. If, however, you think your spouse might be more likely to appreciate information about the process from another source, brainstorm some creative ways to share information about collaborative law. One possible way is to think about individuals with whom your spouse or the other party regularly communicates. Family members, religious leaders, counselors, and mutual friends could be an invaluable resource to present information to the other party without creating an uncomfortable situation.
Schedule a Joint Meeting
In the collaborative law process, most of the work takes place in meetings where both parties and their lawyers are present. The first joint meeting will introduce the parties to negotiations and will set the foundation for resolving issues. The process is a structured approach built on the principles of cooperation, honesty, and respect. It provides a private and safe environment to share information, build trust, and negotiate effectively and efficiently. Best of all, this meeting can be scheduled at any time to accommodate everyone’s schedule.