The traditional divorce model pits husband versus wife, mother versus father. Collaborative Law is a refreshing team-oriented alternative. Each client retains a separate attorney whose job is to counsel the client and help resolve disputes. The attorneys work together to help both clients meet their needs. Open communication is advanced by a trained facilitator, while support and property options are developed by a neutral financial professional. The clients, attorneys, and other team members agree beforehand that the matter will not be brought into the court system until a full agreement is reached.
The Collaborative Process allows for flexible, creative solutions to a family law matter. The team explores options that look beyond a legal framework by incorporating the skills and expertise of the facilitator and financial professional. Clients are encouraged to focus on the best interests of their family, rather than rigid negotiation positions, to reach their goals. In the unlikely event that a settlement is not reached, the Collaborative attorneys withdraw and litigation lawyers may be retained. The knowledge that the Collaborative attorneys cannot bring the case in front of a judge further permits the parties to speak openly about potential settlement options (and frees attorneys from conducting exhaustive, costly opposition research).
At Family Diplomacy: A Collaborative Law Firm, we work to help families resolve disputes without fighting in court. We do this via Collaborative Family Law Practice, mediation, and unbundled legal services. Most clients appreciate this approach, as we spare them from the trauma and expense of court battles.
A client recently left a review on our Google page. You can find that review below.
Family Diplomacy: A Collaborative Law Firm proudly announces the opening of an office in the heart of Downtown St. Petersburg. We do so on June 1, 2020, as we celebrate the tenth anniversary of our firm and the fifth anniversary of our dedication to resolve family disputes exclusively out of court.
Our new office is located at 475 Central Avenue, Suite 205, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701. We are in the historic S.H. Kress & Co. Building, situated on the corner of Central Avenue and 5th Street South. The Kress building was built in 1927, influenced by the Beaux-Arts movement, and served as a five and dime store until 1981. The building is located within the Downtown St. Petersburg Historic District, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 1, 2001.
We also maintain our office in Downtown Tampa, located at 412 E. Madison Street, Suite 824, Tampa, Florida 33602.
Additionally, we are accepting matters throughout Florida. Read more →
We at Family Diplomacy are fortunate to work with good people going through tough times day in and day out. We are truly honored when a client takes the time to post a review of our services. The review below was posted by a former client on Avvo.com:
I recently had the pleasure to speak via zoom with a Collaborative Law class at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. I was invited by Joshua Jones, who is a Visiting Assistant Clinical Professor of Law.
During the class, I was asked to talk about a whole variety of issues related to Collaborative Divorce and Family Law, including the following:
I recently had the opportunity to interview ADR legend Forrest “Woody” Mosten. Woody has been on the forefront of Mediation and Collaborative Practice and is the founder of Unbundled Legal Services. Woody also happens to be a friend and mentor of mine and my co-author of “Building A Successful Collaborative Family Law Practice” published by the American Bar Association in 2018. You can find the video below.
You can find the Peacemaker Practice Self Survey reproduced below.
PEACEMAKER PRACTICE SELF-SURVEY
Forrest S. Mosten and Kevin Scudder[1]
Peacemaker Professionals are lawyers, mental health professionals, and financial professionals who deliver services to clients in a number of roles: Advisor, Information Provider, Organizer, Legal Counselor, Mediator, Evaluator, and other forms as service-provider.
We at Family Diplomacy appreciate all of our clients’ reviews. Recently, a client left a review on Avvo.com.
Please note that every family’s case is different, and we cannot guaranty that your family’s outcome will be the same or similar.
Posted by Stephen
They made the experience like working with family, they explained everything so that I understood anything that I needed to know. I always felt as though they always had my best interests in mind on a personal level.
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We are open during COVID-19. We invite you to contact us to learn how we can help you.
Adam B. Cordover is a leader in the international collaborative family law movement. He is co-author of an American Bar Association book on Collaborative Family Law Practice, and he is a member of the board of the International Academy of Collaborative Practice.
We strive to meet our clients’ needs during difficult times, and we are especially appreciative when clients share how we were able to help them. A client recently left a glowing review for Collaborative Divorce services that we provided. The review was left on Avvo.com.
Please note that every family’s situation is different, and we cannot promise the same or similar results for your family.
Collaborative Divorce Success Story
I highly recommend Adam Cordover. I had not heard of a collaborative divorce before my therapist recommended I speak with Adam. When I first met with him, he was warm and shared excellent information. I never felt pressured to do anything. I was seeking a divorce after a LONG marriage. There were bumps in the road but with the assistance of Adam and the team he assisted us put together, my former spouse and I were able to conclude a collaborative divorce and remain friends. The team approach allowed my ex-husband and I to turn what could have been a disaster into a continued mutual friendship. From start to finish, approximately 6 months, Adam and Jennifer were there for me every step of the way.
(emphasis added)
-Anonymous
Five Stars
If you are looking for a more peaceful way to go through divorce, we are here to help.
Adam B. Cordover is a leading Collaborative Divorce Lawyer in Tampa Bay who helps clients throughout the State of Florida. He is an American Bar Association published author and member of the Board of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. Adam has taught lawyers, mental health professionals, financial professionals, and mediators throughout the United States, Canada, France, and Israel how to offer Collaborative services.
By Jennifer Gunnin, Florida Registered Paralegal at Family Diplomacy: A Collaborative Law Firm
I have been a paralegal at a collaborative family law practice for the past seven years. I am grateful to be helpful to families during a difficult time. People need and appreciate our sensitivity, compassion, and consideration for every aspect of what they are going through, including the financial strain.
I help clients going through collaborative divorce, but I also assist clients who need help in mediation, or direct negotiations or other unbundled services. Moreover, I am there for clients who use our law firm for adoptions or legal name changes.
One of the most important services I offer to clients as a paralegal when someone hires our law firm is a lower hourly rate. Clients are relieved to learn that I will be drafting most of their legal documents and financial disclosures at a lower hourly rate than the attorney.
Family Diplomacy managing attorney Adam B. Cordover recently spoke at the Reimagining Advocacy conference held at Stetson University in Gulfport, Florida. Cordover spoke on the topic of “Training Divorce Lawyers to Become Peacemakers.”
The conference was sponsored by Stetson University Law School’s Center for Excellence in Advocacy. According to the Center’s website:
The Center for Excellence in Advocacy promotes the continuing development of unparalleled advocacy skills through teaching, scholarship and research.
Stetson Law’s Advocacy Resource Center offers instruction to a worldwide audience through online video presentations by experts in the field of advocacy.
The Stetson Law community is committed to the concept of the complete advocate – one who commands a superior understanding of the law, the ability to persuasively present evidence, and the humanity to know when to do the right thing.
Collaborative Practice, mediation, and unbundled legal service guru Forrest S. Mosten will be coming to Tampa April 13-14, 2020. Along with Family Diplomacy managing attorney Adam B. Cordover, Mosten will be leading a Master Training on Building Your Successful Collaborative and Mediation Practice.
Mosten and Cordover are co-editors and co-authors of the 2018 American Bar Association breakout book, “Building Your Successful Collaborative Family Law Practice.” They have also trained about Collaborative Practice and other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution around the world.
Scroll down to learn more about the curriculum.
Who: Forrest S. Mosten and Adam B. Cordover
What: Master Training on Building Your Successful Collaborative and Mediation Practice
When: April 13-14, 2020
Where: Stetson Tampa Law Center, 1700 N Tampa St, Tampa, FL 33602
Cost: $645 early bird pricing prior to March 13, 2020, $745 beginning March 13, 2020
