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==How do I start a collaborative process?==
Because collaborative negotiation is voluntary, everyone has to agree to use it to resolve their dispute. Once the parties have agreed to use a collaborative process, they must each hire a collaboratively-trained lawyer. Sometimes the process starts when the couple meets parties meet with a <span class="noglossary">divorce</span> coach first , and then decide to involve collaborative lawyers are brought in.
===Finding a collaborative professional===
The first step in the process is to find and meet with a collaborative lawyer or <span class="noglossary">divorce</span> coach. To find collaborative lawyers and <span class="noglossary">divorce</span> coaches, go to these websites:
* [http://www.bccollaborativerostersociety.com BC Collaborative Roster Society] (BCprovince-wide Roster)* [http://www.collaborativedivorcebc.com Collaborative Divorce Vancouver] (Lower MainlandVancouver and the lower mainland)
* [http://www.collaborativefamilylawgroup.com Victoria's Collaborative Family Separation Professionals] (Victoria)
* [http://www.collaborativefamilylaw.ca Okanagan Collaborative Family Law Group] (Okanaganthe interior)
* [http://www.nocourt.ca Collaborative Law Group of Nelson] (Nelson)
* [http://nocourt.net Collaborative Association in Metro Vancouver] (Surrey/, New Westminster/and the Fraser Valley)
===Signing the participation agreement===
Once each party has hired a collaboratively-trained lawyer, they will all sign a collaborative participation agreement. The collaborative process starts when the parties and their collaborative lawyers sign a Participation Agreementparticipation agreement is signed. That The agreement provides say, among other things, that:
==Next steps in the collaborative processprocesses==
===Financial disclosure===
As in any process used all family law dispute resolution processes, honest, accurate and up-to resolve matters arising from separation, -date financial disclosure is essential. The collaborative lawyers seek will work with the parties to make full disclosure of all relevant documents and information relevant to the issues between the spouses. Relevant The sort of documents that are must often important in making financial disclosure include:
The spouses produce parties provide their documents and information to the collaborative team on the express understanding that all discussions and negotiations throughout in the collaborative process will remain are private and confidential amongst the collaborative team.
===Exploring options for settlement===
Once financial disclosure has been made, the spouses parties and the collaborative their lawyers (, and sometimes a financial neutral is involved) specialist, begin exploring options for settlement while maintaining confidentiality throughout. If necessary we obtain an opinion with respect to , the lawyers will get expert opinions on the current market value of real <span class="noglossary">estate</span>any property, shares in a businessbusinesses, artwork, collections, or and other assetsthat can be difficult to value. In the collaborative processnegotiation, the parties will usually retain a joint retainer for a single opinion of an expert valuator is typically sought to begin or appraiser together. Discussions continue until the discussionsparties reach a resolution that meets their most important needs.
You may want to have a look at the discussion of [[Family Law Mediation#Tips for successful mediation|Tips tips for successful mediation]] in the section on [[Family Law Mediation|Mediation]] section later in this chapter. It has information about communication skills that can be helpful during the negotiation processcollaborative processes.
===Parenting planDeveloping parenting plans===
When there are children, the parents parties will often usually work with the their <span class="noglossary">divorce</span> coaches to agree develop and settle on a parenting plan. The parents meet with the <span class="noglossary">divorce</span> coaches to create and finalize the parenting plan focusing that focuses on the best interests of the their children. If needed, a child specialist may be involved to meet separately with the child or children in an effort to bring the other opinions , and sometimes the voice of the child or children , into the discussionparents' discussions. While the coaches are working with the parents to finalize a parenting plan they can often help the parents to deal with any emotional issues that arise and equip the parents to co-parent in a more effective way going forward.
===Reaching an agreement===