What Is A Collaborative Approach In Family Law?

The goal of collaborative law family law is to allow parties in the midst of a divorce or separation to work together in collaboration with their lawyers (and any other relevant parties) to mutually agree to resolve any issues stemming from the breakdown of their relationship. Any resolutions reached are then codified into a legally binding agreement to which both parties must adhere.

The collaborative approach to family conflict resolution seeks to avoid the costly, stressful and often hostile nature of seeking redress through a court of law. Instead it aims to give the right of final decision-making to the affected parties who are the best placed to make difficult and personal determinations about their own best interests and often those of their children. The aim is that by avoiding the adversarial nature of family law litigation and using a collaborative approach the involved parties can reach mutually beneficial decisions.