Collaborative Law

Washington Collaborative Law Family Law Attorney

For good or bad, the civil legal system is designed to be adversarial. Each party takes an extreme position and then there is either a decision by a judge, or a negotiation and compromise, to a point that is (hopefully) close to the middle. Even when the judge makes a decision in the middle, one or the other party to a case may be unhappy with the "half" they are awarded. This process often results in more acrimony between the parties at a time when conflict is already high.

The traditional legal system must also treat everyone in a relatively similar manner. While equal protection under the law is good, every family is unique. Very often what works for one family relationship may not work for another.

In short it is not uncommon for the parties to leave the traditional legal system more upset then when they began. Collaborative Law is process for individuals to access the legal system while avoiding such outcomes.

• Collaborative Law is based upon the principle that both parties want to resolve their differences in a manner respectful to the other.
• Collaborative Law allows the parties to minimize controversy and control their own legal outcomes by avoiding positional bargaining from extreme positions.
• Each party and attorney in the Collaborative Law process enters an enforceable written agreement at the outset of the case.
• The Collaborative Law agreement provides that each party will consider the needs and interests of the other and that there will be full disclosure of all necessary and pertinent information.
• Using these principles Collaborative Law does not resort to a judge or the law to impose a set of rules based upon what has worked for other families.
• In Collaborative Law the parties design their own unique solution.

Collaborative Law is not easy. Attorneys must have special training to engage in Collaborative Law. The parties must be committed to reaching a resolution that works for both of them.

Additional information regarding Collaborative Law can be found at: www.collaborativepractice.com.