Collaborative Law
Collaborative law is a team approach to resolving divorce that avoids court and focuses on party goals and objectives. The parties both must be represented by counsel and the collaborative meetings can take place in person or via zoom. In addition to each party having counsel, the parties may also decide to engage third party neutrals to navigate custody and financial matters.
Any professional who works in the collaborative space in Illinois who wishes to be part of the Collaborative Divorce Illinois must, at a minimum, have completed a 40 hour mediation training and have attended a 2 day basic interdisciplinary training course in Collaborative Law. Additionally, it is beneficial for the parties to employ neutrals who are collaboratively trained in order to maximize the parties’ chance of reaching a full resolution of their divorce matter. Finally, unlike other forms of Alternate Dispute Resolution, a key component of the collaborative process is that if the process fails, the parties cannot litigate in court with their collaborative counsel