Collaborative Practice is a cooperative, voluntary, conflict resolution process. The essence of the process is the belief that it is in the best interests of the parties and their families to avoid adversarial proceedings, to resolve their differences with minimum conflict, and to work together to create shared solutions to issues.

The goal of Collaborative Practice is to maximize the settlement options to both parties, to increase the abilities of families to communicate in a post-separation relationship, and to minimize, if not eliminate, the negative economic, social and emotional consequences to families that have broken down.

In choosing Collaborative Practice, the parties and their lawyers commit to settling the case without court involvement. The participants agree to devote all of their efforts to achieve a negotiated settlement.

Collaborative Practice relies on an atmosphere of honesty, cooperation, integrity, and professionalism geared towards the future well-being of all family members.

Collaborative Practice uses informal discussions and short conferences to settle issues.

Collaborative Practice requires each party to identify their needs and all participants use their best efforts to create settlement proposals that meet both parties’ fundamental needs.