Collaborative Divorce Basic Steps

The collaborative divorce process promotes open communication and also recognizes the challenge inherent in the process. Divorcing parties schedule a series of joint meetings with their respective collaborative divorce attorneys to achieve the following:

• identify the priorities and needs of each spouse
• gather and exchange information
• develop and evaluate options and alternatives
• construct a sustainable agreement

You and your Gersten and Gersten attorney work together to address these goals and reach a resolution. Established collaborative divorce ground rules help to foster mutual respect and provides a framework for any future relationships.

Collaborative Divorce Process Ground Rules

The rules of the collaborative divorce process include:

• neither party takes advantage of mistakes made by the other side
• the divorcing couple freely discloses all financial information and pertinent material facts
• confidentiality of all information exchanges in joint meetings shall be maintained
• all experts are retained jointly and these experts shall remain neutral
• all parties will behave courteously and act in good faith