What is Collaborative Law?

Collaborative Law Attorney in Fairfield County

The animosity and tension involved in divorce litigation can be extremely stressful for the husband and wife, as well as the children. However, you do have an alternative to the courtroom battle. Both mediation and the collaborative law process provides an incentive for divorcing couples to avoid the bitterness of a courtroom dispute by working together to develop a financial plan and parenting plan that meets their needs and those of their children.

Providing Professional and Reputable Legal Services for Over 20 Years

At the Law Office of Jill H. O'Connor, located in Ridgefield, Connecticut, Attorney O'Connor has 20 years experience representing husbands and wives throughout Greater Danbury in their comprehensive family law needs, including collaborative law. Contact us to discuss your legal needs and options with a trusted, knowledgeable divorce lawyer.

Collaborative Divorce

In a collaborative divorce both parties sign an agreement not to go to court, instead making their best efforts to reach a settlement through negotiations and mediation. An attorney represents each party, and the parties work together in several negotiations to reach an agreement regarding property and parenting issues that is acceptable to all parties. If for some reason the parties are unable to reach an agreement, pursuant to the agreement they each must hire new attorneys and start the process over from the beginning.

Within the collaborative model, each client has a "divorce coach" who is a therapist trained in collaborative law. Each party first meets with their respective divorce coach to determine whether they can work together in the collaborative process. Each party also has a collaborative attorney. In addition to the divorce coach and attorney, a collaborative financial planner helps the parties decide how to distribute the assets and divide the property and determine what would be the appropriate amount of alimony and child support. A child specialist, who is a therapist also trained in collaborative law, will help the parties agree on a parenting plan that meets their interests and the best interests of the children.

Jill O'Connor represents clients in the collaborative divorce process. Although working amicably to develop a resolution to custody, support, and property division puts the control back in the hands of the divorcing parties, rather than a judge who is a stranger, this option is not possible for all families. We can also provide skilled, experienced legal advocacy in divorce litigation.

Contact Link the Law Office of Jill H. O'Connor today to discuss your divorce options and collaborative law with a knowledgeable, client-oriented lawyer.