How to Get Started with the Collaborative Process

If you are facing a divorce or other civil legal dispute in Massachusetts, you have already made a good decision by reading the information on this website.
Read more to understand the basic concepts of collaborative law and this alternative dispute resolution approach. Then we will help you start resolving your dispute.

1. Educate Yourself about the Collaborative Process

The more you know about your options, the better decisions you will make regarding the most sensible way to resolve your issues. After reading this page, click on the various links on this site and external sites.

You may also be interested in our Resource section which contains a wealth of material about the new and evolving paradigm of Collaborative Law.

2. Locate and Meet an Attorney Trained in the Collaborative Process

Whether you are a divorcing parent in Springfield or own a large Boston-based business, finding a Massachusetts lawyer with special training in collaborative dispute resolution is simple. A list of Collaborative Practitioners is available right here on this website. The profiles will provide background and contact information, and even a link to the professional’s website. Although you may chose to meet with a collaborative coach or financial pro, most people schedule a consultation with a collaborative attorney as the first step. Remember that in the collaborative process, each side will have their own collaboratively trained lawyer, so the person you are experiencing conflict with will also be interviewing collaborative professionals in the area.

Some collaborative attorneys may provide a free consultation, while others may charge you a fee for their time.

3. Share Information About the Collaborative Process

There are at least two sides involved in your dispute. Thus, if possible, share information about the collaborative process to the “other side” in your situation; whether this is your spouse, partner, relative, or someone with whom you have a business conflict.

If you are contemplating rift repair and can communicate with your partner or any opposing party, let them know about this website and the other resources available. Another option is to brainstorm with your collaborative attorney how to bring up the idea of collaborative law with the other party or parties involved in your case.

4. Moving Forward Towards a Respectful Resolution

Once both sides have agreed on their collaborative lawyers, you will work with your own collaborative attorney to organize the rest of the team, including a neutral divorce or executive coach or meeting facilitator and/or financial expert. Although not every collaborative case includes other team members, experienced collaborative attorneys agree that including such individuals is beneficial and can actually help lower the overall costs of the process for clients.

The next step is to schedule the first session and you will be on your way towards a confidential, dignified way to resolve your conflict -- while protecting reputations and the important relationships in your life.

There are a number of other resources you may wish to review regarding the collaborative process. The International Association of Collaborative Professionals website contains additional information about resolving your dispute in an efficient and less adversarial manner. A number of Massachusetts collaborative lawyers, financial consultants, Divorce Coaches, Executive Coaches, meeting facilitators, and mental health practitioners maintain their own websites and/or blogs, and a number of books are available that discuss collaborative law in depth.