Collaborative Divorce | Law Office of Jacqueline Y. Blade

Considering divorce? Don't waste your time and money battling your case before a judge to decide your family's fate. As a Collaborative Family Law Attorney, I will guide you through a difficult transition using an effective therapeutic approach that best meets the needs of your family. You will maximize settlement in an informal and cooperative atmosphere - all without court intervention, and usually at a fraction of the cost of a traditional adversarial divorce. If divorce is inevitable, choose a process that respects your family's needs.

What is Collaborative Family Law?

It is a non-adversarial resolution process geared toward the best interests and well-being of the family. The goal of Collaborative Family Law is to maximize settlement and to resolve family law matters without court intervention. All negotiations take place in four-way settlement meetings that both clients and both attorneys attend. When the threat of going to court is out of the picture it is easier to focus on reaching a settlement. When a settlement is reached amicably, it feels much more like a 'win-win' situation.

Divorce will have a powerful effect on everyone involved. Collaborative Law will provide you and your family effective support for the emotional aspects that often accompany divorce. If divorce is inevitable, you may not be able to salvage your marriage, but you can protect your children and your future. As your attorney, my role is to create a safe environment for you to assess your options and make the transition.

How Does Collaborative Divorce Differ from a traditional Divorce?

Most traditional divorces settle only after a considerable amount of time and money have been spent in developing positions for trial. Then, the case usually settles on the eve of trial. By that time, not only has a great deal of expense been incurred, serious emotional damage has also been caused to spouses and children, leaving both sides dissatisfied.

By contrast, the collaborative law process focuses in providing a safe process for finding fair resolutions. This includes exchanging information, assessing options and negotiating a settlement that meets the needs of both parties. One of the main benefits of the collaborative process is that a plan is developed that meets everyone's needs. Settlements that are achieved are generally much more satisfactory and durable than settlements reached on the courthouse steps.

As your advisor, confidant, counselor, advocate and negotiator I will always zealously represent you and assert your interests. I am committed to a high standard of integrity, and will engage in discussions to resolve your differences in an atmosphere of cooperation, fairness and equity. You will not be expected to give away your rights or to settle your rights away cheaply.

Also, emotions are dealt with directly, privately, and with respect. Collaborative law is supportive of both parents and children, and allows them to move through a transition that is already difficult enough, without triggering destructive battling. If necessary, mental health experts assist to develop a parenting plan, or provide children a safe place to talk about the changes that are happening in the family. The child specialist can offer insights to help parents develop the best plan for their children.

Are the best interests of your children a high priority?
Are you cost-conscious?
Are you willing to take action to become more informed about the impact of decisions on your family?
Do you want to resolve your differences privately?
Do you want to manage a high level of emotions in an appropriate manner?
Do you hate being pressured into making decisions?
Are you actively seeking an alternative to meet your needs and objectives?
Do you want to avoid the BATTLE?

What if the Process Doesn't Work?

There are never any guarantees that the collaborative law process will be successful. Using tactics such as intimidation, being uncooperative, or withholding information is counter-productive because it simply causes the process to end. If any party decides that the process is no longer appropriate, he or she may elect to stop at any time. It may also terminate automatically in an emergency to protect the party's children, property, or himself or herself.

When the process is stopped, either party may initiate court action but the collaborative attorneys must withdraw their representation.

How Much Does it Cost?

As a specially trained collaborative attorney, I will serve as your settlement counsel. That means no costly court motions will be needed and no court hearings are conducted. The parties and their attorneys will likely meet two to six times for two to four hours per session. Usually, the costs are shared equally from the community estate, regardless of which attorney does the bulk of the work. The division of labor is more based on expediency that cost-shifting. Because information is provided voluntarily and fully instead of being extracted through an expensive legal process, the cost is usually a fraction of the cost of a traditional divorce.