Divorce is tough. But choosing a collaborative lawyer to help you through the process can make a significant difference to what is an understandably emotional experience.
As one divorcee, who had first used a traditional family solicitor – and found tensions between him and his wife rapidly rising – before switching to a collaborative lawyer, recently explained: “With negotiation between the four of us, and some compromise, a settlement was agreed.
“The meeting was one of the most emotionally draining days of my life but had I embarked on the collaborative process from the start, much of the misunderstanding and the stress may not have happened.
“We are fortunate that once we embarked on the collaborative process, we were able to bring things to a speedy conclusion.”
Collaborative law offers a way for divorcing or separating couples to work together as a team, face to face, with trained professionals to resolve disputes respectfully, without going to court.
Each client has the support, advice and guidance of his or her own lawyer as well as the opportunity to work with an independent financial advisor, a family consultant, a child specialist or an accountant if needed.
Many people think that all divorce lawyers are the same but this is far from true.
Here at Wards Solicitors we have lawyers who specialise in collaborative family law. It is always worth checking before instructing a lawyer as not all firms offer collaboratively trained specialists.
The clients and their lawyers all sign a contract, called a Participation Agreement, stating a commitment to resolve issues without going to court. This prevents lawyers involved in the collaborative process from doing so if discussions break down.
This means that everyone is absolutely committed to finding the best solutions by agreement, rather than through court proceedings.
For more information and advice about what to do if you considering a divorce, please get in touch with our Wards Solicitors Family Law and Divorce team. Or click here to book an initial meeting.
Our Family Law page here has further information on divorce and frequently asked questions.
Wards Solicitors remains open for business and we are taking on new cases. We are available for video call and telephone meetings but cannot currently offer face to face meetings with clients except in some specific emergency situations and at court hearings.
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