Collaborative Law
Collaborative Law is a process where each party has their own lawyer advising them and the parties work together as a team to find a mutually satisfactory agreement.
With a strong belief in alternative dispute resolution, I became trained in Collaborative Law in 2016 and became a member of the Quebec Collaborative Law Group.
Collaborative Law is a process where each party has their own lawyer advising them and the parties work together as a team to find a mutually satisfactory agreement. At the outset of the process, the parties and their lawyers sign an agreement providing that they will not threaten going to court during the negotiations and that if they were to decide to end the negotiations and go to court, each party would be required to retain the services of a new lawyer. This undertaking commits the parties and the lawyers to working as diligently and creatively as possible to find an amicable, out of court settlement.
Collaborative law could be a good fit for you if:
you do not want to go to court.
you may find it difficult to affirm yourself directly with your former partner and you would like your own lawyer present with you while you are negotiating with the other party.
you are ready to act in good faith and be receptive and flexible as you look for solutions.
you are ready to be transparent and exchange all documents necessary to come to an agreement.
Collaborative law may also be a good fit if: mediation has not been successful and both parties are still committed to an out of court settlement.
As opposed to going to court, collaborative law is a less formal process where you will make your own decisions and compromises.
The lawyers will advise their clients on their rights and obligations but can also explore creative solutions to meet the needs and interests of the parties and their children. In the process, the parties as opposed to the lawyers, judges and the law have the opportunity and responsibility to create their solutions.