The breakdown of a marriage or defacto relationship doesn't have to be the end of the relationship, well not in the usual sense.
When parties have to sort out parenting or property matters after separation there is often a perception of "winning and losing".
If you were told that after separation you and your former partner could walk away with an outcome that was fair and allowed you to maintain a respectful relationship with each other, or even allow you to remain friends, would you be interested?
If yes, the answer for you could be Collaborative Law.
What is this you ask?
The process involves working together as a team to reach agreement on family law matters. It is far from what can sometimes be the mud throwing world of litigation, which most of you would have heard about from someone you know.
Think of it like this, there is you with your lawyer and your former partner with his/her lawyer sitting in a room. You may not be alone, there could be other professionals acting in a neutral capacity, such as financial planner, accountant, psychologist, mediator, and the list goes on. You are all there with a common goal, to work towards an outcome which allows both you and your former partner to focus on what is important to each of you. Whether that be for you to keep the family home which has been passed down through your family, or for your former partner to have financial security for the future, or for your children to feel safe in knowing that their parents are still friends. Your lawyer and your former partner's lawyer are not only there to act for each of you, but to act in the best interests of your family unit for the future.
You are not walking into a battle zone, you are walking into a room with people who are there to help you and your former partner problem solve. You are in control, you and your former partner make the decisions and you are guided by professionals who are there to genuinely help you.
Who will be involved?
The process involves you, your lawyer, your former partner, his/her lawyer and any other professionals entering into an agreement that the parties will not litigate or threaten litigation. If the collaborative process does not result in a final agreement being reached, the lawyers cannot represent either of you in moving forward. The lawyers and other professionals are there for the sole purpose of the collaborative law process.
This is a legal process and the legal framework for family law matters is present throughout every stage. To get the most out this process the lawyers and all other professionals involved need to have undergone collaborative training.
If you feel that this may be for you, please call us today and make an appointment to see our Collaborative Family Lawyer, Tanya Morris.