What is the process of Collaborative Family Law?
Collaborative Law is a relatively new way of resolving family law matters including divorce, separation and parenting disputes. It is fundamentally changing the way that people think about family law. For couples who genuinely seek a fair solution, and want to minimise the pain of family breakdown, it offers the best way ahead.
When a relationship breaks down, hurt, bitterness and anger can often be the strongest feelings. However, almost always the very best solutions are those which you work out for yourselves.
Essentially, that is what Collaborative Law is all about.
Collaborative Law allows you and your former partner to reach shared solutions and agreements away from the Court, giving you more control of the situation. You and your former partner sit down with your own solicitors in the same room and work through issues together face-to-face. The aim is to reach the best solutions for you and your family.
In March 2005, 3 solicitors from Chester trained in Collaborative Law, and since then, other solicitors from Cheshire and North Wales were trained and the Cheshire Collaborative Family Law Group was formed.
Collaborative Law is very successful – particularly so in Cheshire – why?
- You still have the benefit of having your own independent solicitor
- You set the agenda, to ensure that the things that matter most to your family are discussed.
- You set the pace
- You meet with your former partner and discuss issues openly and with transparency : that way you have the best chance of understanding each other’s concerns and fears to find the right solution for the family
- Children will cope better knowing that you are working things out together
- A team based approach
- Perhaps most importantly, you make the key decisions about your future
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Right from the start I knew I was in the hands of caring and resourceful professionals. They made a very difficult family situation so much easier to handle.
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