You have made the right start – you are on this website and learning about Collaborative Law.
If it seems that Collaborative Law might help you with your legal problem, or you want to find out more about Collaborative Law, the next step is to talk with a Collaborative Professional.
Not sure what kind of Collaborative Professional you should to talk to?
A Collaborative Attorney may be a good start. Each person in the Collaborative Law case is represented by an attorney who has Collaborative Law training. Click here for a list of Collaborative Practitioners, all of whom are trained in Collaborative Law and are members of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council. The profiles provide both background and contact information.
Read more below or choose one of these options to learn more about how Collaborative Law helps parties settle:
What is Collaborative Law?
- Both you and the other side are represented by a lawyer trained in the discipline of Collaborative Law
- The attorneys’ representation is focused on settlement and does not include any contested court proceedings
- A Collaboratively trained coach/facilitator serves as a neutral and manages conflict
- You and the other side may jointly engage other experts as needed
- The process facilitates shared solutions acknowledging the highest priorities of everyone invovled
Why should I choose Collaborative Law?
- It is orderly, efficient, and confidential, unlike more traditional dispute resolution processes
- The attorneys help you engage in joint problem solving
- The attorneys and the coach/facilitator work together to guide and intervene effectively during especially difficult conversations
- Collaborative Law allows you to customize a settlement beyond the limited range of options that a court may impose
- Collaborative Law provides a safe forum in which to address issues that may intensify emotions such as family inheritance, extra-marital affairs, caring for a child with special needs, addiction or substance abuse, gender transitioning of a spouse, or the change in a spouse’s sexual orientation.