In Florida, a collaborative family lawyer is a member in good standing of The Florida Bar who is committed to the process of dissolving marriages and resolving family law matters through non-litigation alternatives.  For more information about Collaborative solutions to your families' issues.  Contact me for a consultation.

"Collaborative Practice" is the next generation family law dispute resolution process.

·         With each client having his/her own Collaborative Practice lawyer, any differences in knowledge or negotiating capacity are significantly reduced, if not eliminated;

·         The Collaborative Practice professionals work with the clients to help them establish effective dialogue through the use of constructive communication skills;

·         Though the clients usually begin with significantly differing perspectives on the facts, the law and what is "fair", the Collaborative Practice Process will enable clients to go beyond these differences to mutually beneficial results and acceptable settlements.

 Distinguishing Collaborative Practice & Mediation

Family lawyers have led the way in developing alternatives to litigation because they have watched catastrophes unfold as litigation is used to resolve the issues that typically arise when a family dissolves and restructures itself.

While mediation transformed the separation process for many people, family lawyers began to recognize situations in which mediation was proving ineffective or inappropriate.

Imbalances in power, sophistication, emotional attitude and stability of the clients, as well as dishonesty, foot-dragging and other less-than-good faith behaviors hender the effectiveness of the mediation. The work of the mediator can also be undone by the equally conscientious work of the lawyer.