Audio: Next Generation Divorce’s Derek Lucas Radio Interview

Next Generation Divorce Co-Chair Derek Lucas recently appeared on WDUV 105.5 FM’s Sunday Morning, a news and public affairs program of Cox Media Group hosted by Mimi Lawson.  WDUV (also known as The Dove) covers New Port Richey and Tampa Bay in the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Derek went on the program to discuss collaborative divorce, a private, respectful alternative to traditional courtroom divorce.  In collaborative divorce, both spouses retain their own attorneys, and the attorneys focus solely on helping the spouses reach an out-of-court parenting plan and marital settlement agreement.  This means that no time, money, or energy is wasted on opposition research, motion practice, or trial preparation.

Oftentimes, a neutral facilitator with a license in counseling or therapy is retained to help the spouses focus on what is most important to them (such as the health and well-being of their children) rather than the arguments of the past.  Further, a financial professional is many times used to ensure financial transparency between the spouses and to help develop a plan for support and the division of assets and debts that is personally tailored for the family.

You can find the sixteen minute interview after the jump:

Derek Lucas is a mediator and collaborative attorney based out of Carrollwood.  He was elected co-chair of Next Generation Divorce, along with Certified Public Accountant Marie-Eve Girard, in December 2015.

Next Generation Divorce is a 501(c)(3) organization and network of independent attorneys, financial professionals, and mental health professionals dedicated to educating the public about collaborative family law as a healthier alternative to the adversarial divorce court system.  Next Generation Divorce is a leading practice group in Florida and one of the largest collaborative practice groups in the nation.

If you have questions about collaborative divorce in Tampa Bay, Greater Sarasota, or beyond, schedule a consultation with Family Diplomacy: A Collaborative Law Firm at (813) 443-0615 or CLICK HERE to fill out our contact form.

Adam B. Cordover is the immediate past president of Next Generation Divorce and a member of the Board of Directors of the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals.  He is co-author of an upcoming American Bar Association Book on Building A Collaborative Law Practice and member of the Research Committee of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.