What is collaborative family law?

 

A:

Collaborative family law in Virginia is a form of family dispute resolution that involves an integrated, cross-disciplinary team approach to solving divorce, property division, support, and custody issues without the cost and uncertainty of litigation. Collaborative family law clients sign a non-litigation contract.

Through a series of group meetings of the lawyers, their clients, and sometimes other professionals such as financial planners and/or child specialists, the team attempts to solve problems through mutual disclosure and collaboration.   Although generally successful, if the process fails then both attorneys must resign from the case and clients must find new ones.   This rule creates added commitment to the process.