Membership - Collaborative Divorce Ottawa

Why Become a Collaborative Professional?

Join this innovative divorce movement!

Collaborative professionals in Ontario are transforming the divorce experience for their clients using interest-based negotiations in a supportive, inter-disciplinary team environment. Leave behind the negativity created in an adversarial climate. Resolve conflict in a more human-centred approach.

Benefits of Becoming a Member of Collaborative Divorce Ottawa

1. Teamwork

Attending Collaborative Divorce Ottawa meetings and social events will reward you with networking opportunities, continuing education and problem solving discussions with other collaborative professionals.

2. Support

Whether you need help with a particular issue or an ongoing problem within your collaborative practice, a volunteer mentor will be available at your request!

3. Education

Once you have completed the introductory training, you will find a selection of courses offered around Ontario. Our annual conference offers world-class educators, workshops, and programs.

4. A Profile in Our Directory of Collaborative Professionals

Panel Members (Lawyers, Financial Professionals, and Family Professionals) will have their own profile page in our Directory of Collaborative Professionals with their contact information, photo, and bio.

General and Student members will be listed on the Other Services tab with their contact information (name only for General Member lawyers).

5. Membership with the Ontario Association of Collaborative Professionals

Membership with Collaborative Divorce Ottawa automatically gives you membership with the Ontario Association of Collaborative Professionals as well.

Membership Requirements and Fees

Select the membership type below to see the requirements and yearly fees.

Lawyer Members

Must be a lawyer member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario, having earned their LL.B. or J.D.;
Must have completed 40 hours of collaborative training, including interest-based negotiation skills and collaborative family law skills training; and
Must have errors and omissions insurance coverage of at least $1 million.
Membership fee: $350 per year

Financial Professional Members

Must be a member in good standing of a recognized financial regulatory body, and have one or more of these designations: CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant), CFP (Certified Financial Planner), Ch.F.C. (Chartered Financial Consultant), CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter), PFP (Personal Financial Planner), CFDS (Chartered Financial Divorce Specialist), CDFA (Certified Divorce Financial Analyst), FCIA (Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries), CBV (Chartered Business Valuator);
Must have completed 40 hours of collaborative training, including interest-based negotiation skills and collaborative family law skills training;
Must have completed a minimum of 16 hours of basic training in the fundamentals of family law, with a recommendation to complete 30 hours of family law training;
Other than a neutral financial professional providing expertise on a file for a specific purpose (i.e. a CBV or real estate appraiser), financial professionals who will be working as the financial neutral on a collaborative team must be competent working with Divorcemate software, including its use to provide support and net family property calculations for settlement purposes; and
Must have professional liability insurance coverage of at least $1 million.
Membership fee: $200 per year

Family Professional Members

Must hold a license or professional accreditation and be a member in good standing with one of these associations: College of Psychologists (CPO) – Registered Psychologist, Ontario College of Social Workers (OCSWSSW), Canadian Association for Couple and Family Therapy (member with RMFT designation), College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), or the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPSO);
Must have completed 40 hours of collaborative training, including interest-based negotiation skills and collaborative family law skills training;
Must have completed a minimum of 16 hours of basic training in the fundamentals of family law, with a recommendation to complete 30 hours of family law training; and
Must have professional liability insurance coverage of at least $1 million.
Membership fee: $200 per year

General Members

General Members are supporters of Collaborative Practice and provide professional services to clients to assist them with their negotiations or to implement resolutions.
However, General Members have not undertaken training which would qualify them to sign a participation agreement and negotiate with the parties directly and they cannot sign a Collaborative Participation Agreement.
Membership fee: $150 per year

Student Members

Must be a current university or college student with an interest in Collaborative Divorce
Membership fee: $50 per year

Collaborative Training

Collaborative training is available through the Ontario Association of Collaborative Professionals (OACP).

How to Apply for Membership

To become a member of Collaborative Divorce Ottawa, you must complete our online application form (see below).

Once you have submitted the form, your application will be evaluated by the Membership Committee. Upon approval, you will be receive an invoice for the yearly membership fee.

Before completing the application, please ensure you have the following information and documents ready.