Collaborative Divorce is a new way for separating or divorcing people to work as a team with trained professionals to resolve disputes respectfully, without going to court. Each client has the support, protection and guidance of his or her own lawyer. In addition, the couple may select a team of divorce coaches, neutral financial specialists, and child specialists, who are specially trained and experienced in divorce issues. The couple has the option of starting their separation/divorce with the professional with whom they feel most comfortable. With help and recommendations, they then choose the other professionals they will need on their team. Once the team is assembled, clients can expect the professionals to work together in close communication, strategizing along the way as to the best ways to address the issues in need of resolution. Clients find that agreements that they come to together with the help of their professionals are much more likely to hold up over time and during practical usage. This is because they have invested their energy and ideas during respectful dialogue into understanding each other's needs and their children’s needs together. Collaborative Divorce is distinguished from traditional litigation by its inviolable core elements. These elements are set out in a contractual commitment among the clients and their chosen collaborative professionals to:
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