What is collaborative law?

Collaborative law is a form of divorce law that is offered in New York. This form of divorce law allows couples to work out a settlement agreement outside of the court system and to avoid a contested trial in a courtroom. It is a form of alternative dispute resolution that allows an attorney to represent each party without having to go through the normally contentious adversarial legal process. The collaborative process entails a series of conferences with the couple and their respective attorneys and any other professionals deemed necessary, such as financial advisors. During these conferences, the husband and wife work to develop a settlement agreement that both sides are willing to accept. This agreement usually covers issues such as division of assets, child support, and alimony. The collaborative law process is often quicker and less expensive than the traditional courtroom process, since the parties involved have complete control of the process and the attorneys involved do not have to draft and argue legal briefs. This process also allows the parties to keep their private business out of the public eye since all documents are kept confidential. Additionally, the collaborative law process may be less stressful for all parties involved, since it involves a respectful dialogue between the husband and wife and their respective attorneys instead of the contentious and accusatory legal wrangling that often occurs with traditional court proceedings.

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