Comparing 4 Models of Collaborative Divorce

Collaborative Divorce is a private process where both you and your spouse work together, with the support of various professionals, to reach a mutually agreeable resolution without fighting in court. This blog post compares and contrasts four models—Lawyer-Only, Collaborative Mediation, Neutral Facilitator, and Two-Coach—each offering unique strengths and approaches.* By understanding the roles and benefits of each, you and your spouse can make an informed decision that best supports your family’s needs.

	Lawyer Focused		Facilitator Focused	Multiple Therapist Focused
Category	Lawyer-Only	Collaborative Mediation	Neutral Facilitator	Two-Coach
Leadership of Process	Led by the two lawyers	Mediator leads discussions, lawyers guide overall process	Led by a Neutral Facilitator, who is a licensed mental health professional and communication specialist; Neutral Financial Professional leads financial discussions	No single leader; each professional supports their focus
Emotional Support	Emotional support provided by lawyers	Support may be provided by mediator, mainly through lawyers	Strong support from Neutral Facilitator, specializing in family dynamics	Each spouse receives support from their own separate mental health professional (“Coach”), and children get support from a Child Specialist
Financial Guidance	Legal advice on financial matters	Mediator may provide some guidance, but lawyers are the main professionals on financial matters	Neutral Financial Professional offers clear, cost-efficient guidance	Financial Professional often leads financial and other discussions
Role of the Lawyers	Lawyers are the primary drivers	High lawyer involvement, guided by mediator	Lawyers support and provide legal assistance when needed	Lawyers work alongside Coaches, Financial Professional, and Child Specialist
Parenting Plan Support	Typically drafted by lawyers	Created during mediation, limited child development input	Tailored by Facilitator, meeting developmental needs of child	Includes Child Specialist, who meets with children and shapes plan
Strengths	May be less expensive	Lawyers with less Collaborative experience and newly trained lawyers may have more comfort with a mediator as a neutral	Comprehensive support, balanced approach, strong guidance for more quickly getting through challenging and potentially emotional discussions	Extensive emotional support, comprehensive team approach
Weaknesses	Case may drag on longer because insufficient support, may feel adversarial	Mediator may not provide strong support, still lawyer-driven	Interdisciplinary approach may not be needed for simple cases	More complex, higher cost due to amount of professionals
Best For	Short-term marriages with no children and few assets	Matters originating from a mediator; Also, matters where one of the lawyers has less Collaborative experience working in an interdisciplinary team, or in a community where trained and experienced Facilitators and Financial Professionals are not available	Divorce involving business owners, professionals, doctors, executives, investors, public figures, and others in a long-term marriage or families with assets of $1 million or more	Families needing extensive support due to children with profound disabilities and significant needs, domestic violence, severe mental health disorders, severe addiction, and/or a preference for individual time with a separate mental health professional, or families with assets of $5 million or more

*Please note that this comparison reflects my professional experience, research, and views, and other professionals may in good faith have a different view.

Below is a visual representation of the professional team in each model:

 

If you have questions about Collaborative Divorce and determining the best model for your family, we invite you to reach out to us by clicking the button below.

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Adam B. Cordover is one of the most experienced Collaborative Lawyers in Florida.  He is co-author of an American Bar Association book on the topic and has trained judges and professionals throughout the United States, Canada, Israel, and France.  Adam is a former member of the Board of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and recipient of the inaugural Visionary Award from the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals for creating and co-instructing the first Leadership Institute.