Collaborative Divorce

COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE AND FAMILY LAW IN FLORIDA

No matter how you look at it, divorce and family law matters are difficult to go through. Expectations of stability are shattered, mistrust grows, and bills pile up. And then the litigation begins. Attorneys file and serve petitions, counterpetitions, requests to produce, and motions to compel. Each party hires dueling mental health experts to convince a judge that he or she should have more time with the children. Privacy is eliminated as each party’s life is probed and publicly questioned so that one side may gain a tactical advantage.

But there is a different way. A more civilized way. And it is called Collaborative Family Law (also known as Collaborative Divorce or Collaborative Practice).

We are a Collaborative law firm dedicated to helping people resolve personal disputes without destroying their families. We encourage the use of the Collaborative Family Law model in divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, post-judgment, prenuptial, and most other family law cases.  Further, Adam B. Cordover is an internationally-recognized leader in Collaborative Practice, a trainer who teaches other professionals how to help families Collaboratively, and author of an upcoming American Bar Association book on Collaborative Law.

A PRIVATE ALTERNATIVE TO PUBLIC COURTROOM BATTLES

All meetings, communications, and proposed settlement options that take place within the Collaborative context are privileged and confidential. Discussions are held, not in open court, but at the office of one of the attorneys or other team members. This private environment allows both the clients and team members to fulfill their agreement to be open, honest, and transparent toward one another. Unlike traditional litigation, any agreement that is reached may not need to be filed with the clerk of the court, helping private lives stay out of the public record.

A HEALTHIER FAMILY LAW OPTION

Unlike traditional family law cases, attorneys in the Collaborative model are retained solely for the purpose of helping the clients reach an agreement. In practical terms, this means that the attorneys are not conducting the usual opposition research to highlight an opposing party’s parental or other flaws in preparation for trial (which can be the most destructive part of the traditional divorce process). In addition, a facilitator—generally a licensed mental health professional—helps the clients and the attorneys focus on what’s most important to the family’s future happiness and well-being.

A TEAM APPROACH TO FAMILY LAW

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.

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO FAMILY MATTERS

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).

A THOUGHT LEADER IN THE COLLABORATIVE LAW COMMUNITY

collaborative divorce

Adam B. Cordover training 50+ attorneys, mental health professionals, and financial professionals in Collaborative Practice at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Adam B. Cordover is an international thought leader in Collaborative Practice and one of the most experienced Collaborative attorneys in Tampa Bay. He has studied what works and what does not work and has researched different models of the Collaborative Process that are implemented in communities around the world. Accordingly, rather than attempt to fit your family in a cookie cutter Collaborative Process, Adam will recommend ways to tailor a Collaborative Process that fits your family’s unique needs.  And Adam recently was among the first to earn the designation of Accredited Collaborative Professional by the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals.

A COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE LAWYER WITH OFFICES IN TAMPA, SARASOTA, AND ST. PETERSBURG

With offices in Downtown Saint Petersburg, Sarasota, and Downtown Tampa, we practice throughout Tampa Bay and Greater Sarasota, including in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Sarasota, and Manatee counties.  We are also accepting matter from throughout the State of Florida.

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