Collaborative Law - How it Can Help You
When a marriage or partnership comes to an end, many people want to reach an amicable and fast solution that meets the needs of both people involved, rather than finishing up angry and frustrated at both sides' personal failings. This, combined with the legal costs can have a negative impact on health and family, as well as hindering those involved from moving forward. Collaborative law aims to give a mutual and fair settlement, helping to reduce the pain that comes at the end of a relationship.
Collaborative law involves the holding of "four way" meetings between yourself and your partner, as well as solicitors for you both. Your solicitors will arrange either face-to-face or telephone meetings. You each meet with your respective solicitors prior to the meetings to set the agenda for discussions and talk about any points you would like to raise during the meeting. Collaborative law is different from going to court, as there is no timeframe set for a settlement - instead as many meetings as are needed can take place. Outside professionals, such as financial advisers or social workers, can be brought in to help create a settlement that suits yourself and your partner.
Collaborative law places an emphasis on face to face discussion, and negotiation, rather than the traditional route of postal correspondence seen in traditional divorce cases. Lawyers are on hand during meetings to offer legal advice, and can meet with you at regular stages throughout the process to discuss your progress, and a plan for future meetings is set during the four way discussions. Collaborative law helps to keep negotiations dignified and calm, as opposed to the atmosphere of a courtroom which can often be confrontational. Collaborative law can be very helpful when it comes to ending your relationship on good terms, as you remain in control of your own decisions and affairs, rather than relying on a judge to make the decisions.
If you are seeking to maintain a relationship with your partner post marriage, collaborative law may well be able to help you. Rather than becoming involved in cyclical arguments and the airing of grievances, collaborative law encourages an out of court settlement to suit you both. Particularly where children are concerned, collaborative law can help you underline your parenting responsibilities, and move onto the next phase of your life as swiftly and cordially as possible. There is no simple way to finish a relationship without pain, but collaborative law can help you transition to life post-marriage without retaining the unpleasant courtroom atmosphere.
If you are considering divorce, we recommend that you think seriously about hiring a solicitor experienced in collaborative law. Collaborative law can make most divorces much less painful.
About the Author
Tim Bishop is senior partner at Bonallack and Bishop (http://www.bishopslaw.co.uk), Andover Divorce Solicitors experienced in Collaborative Law. He is responsible for all major strategic decisions and has grown the firm by 1000% in 12 years. He sees himself as a businessman who owns a law firm and has firm plans for the continued expansion of the firm.
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