Why Collaborate

Are you separating? Getting a divorce? Why collaborate?

There are many reasons. Choosing the Collaborative Process rather than litigation (going to court) to resolve disputes and solve problems can empower you in the following ways:

1. More Control

When you choose the Collaborative Process, you and your separating partner are choosing to take control of your future. You decide the timeline. You decide what issues are most important to you. You decide what solutions work best for you and your family. You—not lawyers or judges—decide the way forward.

2. Less Conflict

The Collaborative Process is built on a foundation of cooperation. To begin the Collaborative Process, separating spouses must sign a Participation Agreement. By signing the agreement, you both agree to exchange information freely and honestly and to seek a solution that addresses the priorities of the entire family. You also agree not to go to court.

Because you, your separating partner and your collaborative team are committed to finding solutions that matter most to you and your family, that commitment means less conflict throughout the process and beyond.

3. A Team Approach

Collaborative Divorce Ottawa uses a team approach that surrounds you with more and different kinds of expertise than what might typically be available to you during an adversarial legal process.

Whether you need help creating a customized co-parenting agreement, negotiating child and/or spousal support, valuating a business or other assets, or dividing property, the members of your collaborative team have received specialized collaborative divorce training above and beyond their legal, financial or clinical credentials. They also have a track record of working together as a team to help other families just like yours.

4. Customized Solutions

When it comes to deciding the details of a family’s separation agreement, courts must follow a very strict set of rules. Judges just don’t have the flexibility to craft highly customized solutions.

When you choose the Collaborative Process, you aren’t bound by strict legal rules. You and your ex are free to create a Separation Agreement that suits your particular needs. Your collaborative team will contribute their expertise to help you develop creative options and evaluate them based on your priorities.

View a list of collaborative professionals in Ottawa

5. Faster Resolution

When you choose the Collaborative Process, you choose a process designed to help you and your former spouse actively reach closure through a Separation Agreement. Since everyone is focused on finding solutions rather than attacking, blaming or defending, energy is devoted to resolving issues.

And, since everyone who participates in the Collaborative Process commits to full disclosure and open communication, many issues tend to be addressed and decided on more quickly.

Finally, since the Collaborative Process involves a series of meetings in a closed, neutral setting, you do not have to wait for a court date several weeks or months from now.

6. More Privacy

The Collaborative Process offers more privacy than going to court. Meetings are held in a private setting and all participants are bound by a confidentiality agreement. The details of the process, negotiations and final agreement remain private. Separations decided in Court require that the parties’ financial and other personal information are available to the public.

7. Save Time, Money and Stress

By avoiding a traditional divorce through the courts, you are avoiding expensive litigation, high court costs, wait times for court dates, and the stress associated with an adversarial process. There’s less “wrong vs. right” and more “let’s communicate, decide, resolve, and move on.”

Litigation is a back-and-forth, partner vs. partner process. The Collaborative Process allows both of you to advance in step toward a mutually beneficial outcome—as efficiently, respectfully and peacefully as possible.