When Joan Berry Nassar serves as your collaborative divorce attorney, she represents and advises you — not your spouse or both parties. Her representation is limited to the collaborative process. If that process ends without resolution, Joan Berry Nassar and her firm cannot represent you in subsequent contested litigation involving the same matter.
A Structured Alternative To Litigation
Many people assume that divorce has only two paths: agreement or court.
In reality, there is a third option.
Collaborative Divorce is a structured, team-based process that allows couples to resolve divorce-related issues outside of court while maintaining professional support throughout the process.
For families who want to minimize conflict, preserve privacy, and maintain greater control over important decisions, Collaborative Divorce can provide a practical and respectful path forward.
At Joan Berry Nassar, P.A., we help clients understand whether Collaborative Divorce is the right fit for their unique circumstances and goals.
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What Is Collaborative Divorce?
Collaborative Divorce is a voluntary legal process in which both spouses commit to resolving their divorce without litigation.
Each spouse retains their own collaboratively trained attorney, and all participants agree to work together toward a mutually acceptable settlement rather than pursuing court intervention.
The process is designed to encourage open communication, a review of options, creative problem-solving, and informed decision-making.
Rather than preparing for trial, the focus remains on reaching agreements that support the long-term interests of the family.
Collaborative Divorce can address:
- Division of marital assets and debts
- Timesharing and parenting plans
- Child support
- Alimony and spousal support
- Business ownership interests
- Retirement accounts
- Future co-parenting arrangements
- Other family law matters related to divorce
How Collaborative Divorce Works
Step 1: Initial Consultation
You must have an attorney and that attorney must be collaboratively trained. The process begins by meeting with your attorney to discuss the collaborative process to determine whether Collaborative Divorce is appropriate for your situation.
Not every family is a good candidate, and understanding your options is an important first step.
Step 2: Participation Agreement
Both spouses and their attorneys sign a participation agreement committing to resolve matters outside of court. The team is chosen by the attorneys and parties. A financial professional and mental health professional are added to the team. The mental health professional facilitates the team meetings and meets with the parties as needed under the circumstances. The financial professional assists with the preparation of financial documents, the equitable distribution of the assets/debts and support.
If either party decides to pursue litigation, the collaborative process ends and both attorneys must withdraw from representation.
This creates a strong incentive to remain focused on resolution.
Step 3: Information Gathering
Financial information, parenting concerns, and other relevant details are openly shared and discussed.
Transparency is the cornerstone of the collaborative process.
Step 4: Team Meetings
The parties and their attorneys participate in a series of structured meetings designed to identify concerns, review options, generate solutions, and negotiate agreements.
Additional professionals may participate as needed.
Step 5: Final Agreement
Once agreements are reached, the attorneys work together to draft a Collaborative Agreement which is submitted. to the court for approval.
Benefits of Collaborative Divorce
Maintain Greater Control
Rather than allowing a judge to make decisions about your family, you remain actively involved in creating solutions that work for your unique circumstances.
Reduce Conflict
The process is designed to encourage cooperation a review of options and problem-solving rather than adversarial legal positioning.
Protect Privacy
Collaborative Divorce discussions occur in a private setting rather than a public courtroom.
Preserve Relationships
This can be especially valuable for parents who will continue co-parenting long after the divorce is finalized.
Create Customized Solutions
Collaborative Divorce allows greater flexibility than traditional litigation, making it easier to address complex financial, parenting, and family concerns with your team of professionals.
Focus on the Future
Rather than dwelling on past grievances, the process encourages forward-looking solutions that support long-term stability.
The Collaborative Team Approach
One of the unique aspects of Collaborative Divorce is the use of a professional team.
Depending on the needs of the family, the team may include:
Financial Professionals
Financial neutrals may assist with asset division, support calculations, retirement accounts, business valuation, and long-term financial planning.
Mental Health Professionals
Mental health professionals may help facilitate productive discussions and support healthy co-parenting relationships.
Child Specialists
In some cases, child specialists can provide insight into the developmental and emotional needs of children during the divorce process.
The goal is to bring the right expertise to the table while keeping everyone focused on resolution.
Who Is Collaborative Divorce For?
Collaborative Divorce may be appropriate for couples who:
- Want to avoid litigation whenever possible
- Are willing to negotiate in good faith
- Value privacy and confidentiality
- Want greater control over outcomes
- Share children and wish to preserve a co-parenting relationship
- Need support addressing complex financial issues
- Prefer a structured process with professional guidance
It is often an excellent option for individuals who want more support than mediation alone but wish to avoid the conflict and expense of litigation.
Collaborative Divorce vs. Mediation
Many families are unsure whether mediation or collaborative divorce is the better fit.
Mediation
- One neutral mediator
- Participants negotiate directly Revise “Participants negotiate directly” to clarify that participants may communicate directly or through the mediator, and that mediation can take place in person or virtually.
- Attorneys may be consulted separately Revise “Attorneys may be consulted separately” to clarify that attorneys may or may not be present during mediation, while recommending that each participant seek legal advice prior to mediation.
- Generally lower cost
Collaborative Divorce
- Each participant must have his/her own collaboratively trained attorney
- Additional professionals may participateThe team will include a mental health professional and a financial professional.
- Structured team-based process
- More support for complex situations
- Everyone attends the team meetings together in person, or virtually
Neither option is inherently better.
The right choice depends on your circumstances, goals, and level of conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Collaborative Divorce legally binding?
Once agreements are finalized and incorporated into the appropriate legal documents, they become legally enforceable.Revise this statement to clarify that the collaborative agreement is a contract between the parties and, once approved by the court, becomes a court order.
Do I have to have an attorney?
Yes. Each participant is represented by their own collaboratively trained attorney throughout the process.
Is Collaborative Divorce more expensive than mediation?
Typically, yes. Because attorneys and other professionals are involved, Collaborative Divorce often costs more than mediation but less than contested litigation. However, the process will be shorter than contested litigation.
What happens if we cannot reach an agreement?
If the collaborative process breaks down and litigation becomes necessary, both collaborative attorneys must withdraw and new litigation counsel must be retained.
Can Collaborative Divorce address child custody and support?
Yes. Parenting plans, child support, alimony, and property division are all commonly addressed through Collaborative Divorce.
You Have More Than One Way Forward
Many families assume their only option is a courtroom.
Often, they have more choices than they realize.
Collaborative Divorce offers a structured, respectful alternative that prioritizes communication, consideration of options, informed decision-making, and long-term family well-being.
The first step is understanding your options.
