Who Can Benefit from a Collaborative Family Law Approach

Although collaborative family law might not be suitable for all separated couples, it is something that most couples should consider as an option for resolving their difficulties.

The Hard Questions

Ask yourself these questions (and have your spouse ask himself or herself the same questions).

• are you prepared to meet face-to-face with your spouse, in meetings at which you and your spouse (and your lawyers) are present
• will you make the effort to treat your spouse with respect
• will you make the effort to communicate openly with your spouse
• are you prepared to make full disclosure of all relevant information to your spouse
• will you agree to avoid court proceedings, if at all possible
• do you value the benefits of a negotiated settlement that will assist you and your spouse in dealing with one another in your "post-separation relationship", regarding children, support and other ongoing issues

If you and your spouse can answer "Yes" to those questions, then you should seriously consider a collaborative family law approach to resolving your differences.

The Easy Questions

It might be difficult for some people to answer "Yes" to those questions, but most people will agree that the answers to the following questions are easy, and that they are clear arguments in favour of a collaborative family law approach:

• do you want to save money
• do you want to save time
• do you want to avoid the risk of losing in court
• do you want to avoid the stress of going to court