Family law
Collaborative Divorce
Collaborative divorce is a voluntary process in which both spouses, each represented by a trained collaborative attorney, commit to resolving all issues without court intervention.
Overview
What to understand about collaborative divorce.
In collaborative divorce, both parties retain their own collaboratively trained attorneys and sign a participation agreement committing to honest disclosure, good-faith negotiation, and resolution without court litigation. If the process breaks down and either party chooses to litigate, the collaborative attorneys must withdraw, and new litigation counsel is retained.
The collaborative process typically involves a series of structured meetings and may include other professionals — financial specialists, parenting coordinators, or divorce coaches — depending on what the case requires.
Collaborative divorce can be particularly effective when both parties are willing to engage in good-faith negotiation, when preserving a co-parenting relationship matters, when financial matters are complex, or when both parties value privacy and control over the outcome.
Who this serves
- ●Spouses who want to resolve their divorce privately and cooperatively
- ●Parties with complex financial or business matters
- ●Parents who want to preserve a functional co-parenting relationship
- ●Those who want more control over the outcome than litigation provides
- ●Couples who prefer to reach their own agreements with professional support
Common issues
What these matters typically involve.
- Parenting arrangements and schedules
- Division of business interests and retirement assets
- Spousal support
- Family home and real property
- Complex financial disclosure
- Long-term financial planning
Process
How these matters proceed.
Both parties retain collaboratively trained attorneys. All parties sign a participation agreement. Issues are resolved through structured meetings, often with supporting professionals. Agreements are memorialized in a written settlement and submitted to the court for a final judgment.
How the firm approaches this
Quist Homier Law on collaborative divorce.
Quist Homier Law attorneys have training in collaborative divorce and understand its structure, requirements, and appropriate uses. The firm helps clients evaluate whether collaborative divorce is well-suited to their situation — and helps prepare them to participate effectively in the process.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about collaborative divorce.
If the process breaks down, the collaborative attorneys must withdraw from representation. Both parties would then retain new attorneys for litigation. This disqualification provision is a core feature of collaborative divorce and creates a strong incentive for all parties to work toward resolution.
It often can be, when both parties are engaged and willing to negotiate in good faith. The timeline depends on the complexity of the issues and the responsiveness of the parties.
These answers are provided for general informational purposes and do not constitute legal advice. The law varies by jurisdiction and by the specific facts of each situation. Contact the firm to discuss your matter.
Attorneys who handle this
Discuss your collaborative divorce matter with the firm.
Contact Quist Homier Law to understand your options. No representation is accepted through this form.
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