The collaborative process provides an approach to resolving all of the legal, financial and emotional issues that come with separation and divorce without the threat of court. Each client retains a collaborative lawyer who has been trained in the collaborative process. The clients, their lawyers and other professionals sign a Participation Agreement in which all agree to act in good faith, treat each other with respect, exchange all important information, put the children first, and look for solutions acceptable to both clients. The contract provides that the lawyers are retained solely to facilitate a settlement and will not go to court.

The goal of the collaborative process is to help individuals to work successfully within the collaborative law structure to achieve a positive resolution that minimizes the negative economic, social, and emotional consequences that people often experience in the traditional adversarial separation and divorce process.

In order to accomplish this goal, the Family Professional and other collaborative team professionals work together as a team to integrate the legal, emotional, and financial aspects of separation/divorce.

Sheila and Pam have been trained as Family Professionals and work with clients and other collaborative team members to:

Identify and prioritize the concerns of each person.

Facilitate effective communication between the clients.

Work collaboratively with the clients, their lawyers and other involved professionals to enhance communication and reduce misunderstandings.

Direct the clients' best efforts towards keeping the collaborative process moving towards resolution.

Develop effective co-parenting skills as required.

Develop parenting plans as required.

The Family Professional may also interview children to determine each child's needs in the context of the divorce and provide information to the parents to help them in the development or implementation of their parenting plan.