St. Louis Collaborative Divorce Lawyer

While many divorces can be understandably contentious, many spouses recognize the opportunity to work together to achieve a mutually agreeable resolution. Collaborative Practice is a proven alternative for resolving legal disputes, including divorce, with respect and privacy. The parties work together and agree to use all of their efforts to reach a mutually acceptable settlement for their family without going to court. Specially trained Collaborative Professionals, including attorneys, mental health professionals, and financials, work together with you to gather and share information and negotiate an agreement that is best for the family overall, including the children. Let our St. Louis collaborative divorce lawyer help you dissolve your marriage in the most amicable and efficient way possible.

What is a “Collaborative Divorce?”

Collaborative divorce is a form of alternative dispute resolution that allows couples to avoid court litigation during the marriage dissolution process. However, “collaborative divorce” in Missouri is not the same thing as an uncontested divorce, nor is it the same as resolving disagreements through mediation.

Unlike uncontested divorces, collaborative divorces do not require both parties to agree on all divorce-related issues right from the start. In fact, collaborative divorces are founded on the assumption that there are some issues that the divorcing parties do not agree on. In Collaborative Practice, the team of professionals will look at the needs of each party. Each party has their own attorney who provides them with legal advice and guidance in understanding a full settlement of all issues. Each attorney commits to work only in the Collaborative Practice and will not participate in any contested litigation with the parties.

These attorneys are specially trained and certified to practice collaborative divorce law, and they facilitate meetings between the parties they represent to discuss issues like property division, child custody, and future financial support in an honest and open setting. If this collaborative process produces a mutually agreeable resolution, the attorneys draft documentation for both parties to sign and seek court approval on their behalf, making their agreement legally binding.

Mental health professionals lead the meetings and coach the parties in communicating with each other effectively and provide guidance on child-related issues. A financial professional gives impartial and practical assistance and guidance on financial and tax matters.

The Collaborative team will work together with the goal of resolving the divorce in the best interest of the entire family.

Advantages of a Collaborative Approach to Divorce

Compared to contested litigation, collaborative divorce can be a more effective way of resolving marital issues and typically moves more quickly and more confidentially, too. Perhaps most importantly, it gives divorcing parties a great deal of discretion over how their divorce proceeds and concludes, rather than leaving some or all of the sensitive decisions that come with the dissolution of a marriage in the hands of a court judge.

Seek Help from a St. Louis Collaborative Divorce Attorney

Collaborating with your current spouse to facilitate your divorce can be a great way to give both of you more power during the process. However, there are several ways in which this approach to divorce differs substantially from other approaches, so you should make sure you are both aware of what it entails and what results it could have before committing to it.

A St. Louis collaborative divorce lawyer can answer your questions and address any concerns you may have about this form of alternative dispute resolution. Call today to schedule a meeting.