Collaborative Law

Connecticut Collaborative Law Attorney

At the Westport, Connecticut, family law firm of Freshman & McGlynn, LLC , we handle all types of divorce, from reasonable negotiations to contested litigation. We are effective lawyers who advocate strongly for our clients. We use our mediation and collaborative law skills to settle important issues involved in a divorce.

Our Connecticut family law attorneys have more than forty years of combined experience resolving divorce and other family law matters. Over the years they have gained significant experience and expertise in collaborative law and are strong advocates for this new and innovative approach to divorce.

Contact our Connecticut collaborative law attorneys today to find out how using the collaborative approach can help make your divorce an easier, less stressful, less contentious process for you and your children.

Collaborative law is a relatively new approach to divorce that has been growing in popularity. The reasons for collaborative law's popularity are many and include the fact that using the collaborative approach is often a less contentious, less painful method of settling the key issues of a divorce.

The Two Types of Collaborative Approaches

1. Collaborative Law

Collaborative law is a hybrid of traditional divorce and mediation in which both sides retain attorneys but agree not to go to court and to settle the divorce by means of negotiation. Issues such as child custody, child support, alimony and property distribution are addressed and agreed upon by both parties with the advice and counsel of their attorneys. Settlement conferences with the parties and their lawyers form the basis for the negotiation, which leads to the creation of a formal agreement which is presented at court. Both parties and lawyers have an incentive to reach an agreement because, should the collaborative process fail, both lawyers must withdraw from the case and the parties must obtain new lawyers to help them with their court cases.

2. Collaborative Divorce

Similar to collaborative law in concept, but with more specialized professionals involved. In collaborative divorce, financial advisors (acting in a neutral capacity), mental health coaches, and a child specialist work with you, your spouse, and your children to create the best possible solutions to the issues at hand. This approach is especially effective for couples who are concerned about the effect their divorce may have on their children.

Benefits of the Collaborative Approach

The benefits to using a collaborative approach are numerous, and include:

Less contentious
Preserves a more amicable post-divorce relationship and the ability to successfully co-parent your children
More convenient - you set the schedule, not the court
Confidential - agreements reached through collaborative law are kept confidential, while court divorce proceedings are matters of public record
Affordable - using a collaborative approach often takes less time and requires less work on behalf of your attorney. That means fewer billable hours and a more manageable legal fees