You have probably heard about or know someone who has been through a lengthy and ugly divorce that ended up in court. In the end, it is likely that neither party walked away with the results they wanted. If that is the type of scenario that you are looking to avoid, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) may be the best option for you.
Simply put, ADR are methods for settling a divorce without going to court. Typically these methods are less time consuming, more cost effective, and allow you to have more control and decision-making power throughout the process. Collaborative divorce is one type of ADR that allows you to resolve matters outside of court.
Lindsay B. Coleman has been working as a collaborative divorce attorney since she started her legal career. Because of her experience with ADR, Coleman Law has helped numerous clients keep the emotional and financial costs of divorce low, while still ensuring remarkable results for her clients.
If you do not want a random judge to have the power to make decisions about your life and your future, collaborative divorce may be the best process for you
The primary reason that collaborative divorce has been gaining in popularity is because all involved parties have more control over the decision-making process. You and your partner have spent quite a bit of time building your life together and making decisions together about how that life would look. Now that you are divorcing and moving on to a different phase of your life, you still want to make decisions about how that life will look.
The collaborative divorce process allows you, your partner, and your respective collaborative divorce attorneys to go through the decision-making process together and ensure there is a beneficial outcome for everybody involved. During this process we will craft an agreement based on the specific circumstances of your family. After all, you know yourself, your family, and all of your needs better than a random judge that would be assigned to your case if you took a more traditional approach.
As your collaborative divorce attorney it is my responsibility to understand your goals and make sure we use logical and creative solutions to attain those goals. As a Collaborative Law Fellow at Collaborative Divorce Illinois (CDI), I have helped numerous clients identify their interests, understand the consequences of any potential solutions, and effectively negotiate a customized settlement agreement that is mutually beneficial for all parties involved.
Lindsay B. Coleman is an experienced collaborative divorce attorney who helps clients to negotiate exceptional settlements that are in the best interest of all parties involved
If you are looking to avoid the conflict and animosity that a lengthy negotiation or litigation process may bring, then you are looking to hire experienced collaborative divorce attorney, Lindsay B. Coleman. Both a Fellow with Collaborative Divorce Illinois and a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Lindsay B. Coleman has empowered clients to resolve their legal disputes without the interference of judges. This approach has proven to reduce conflicts and stress for clients and to produce noteworthy results that allow all parties to have a fulfilling future.
Divorce doesn’t have to be contentious and it doesn’t have to destroy relationships. 
Divorce can be civil and collaborative. 
Most importantly, no matter how different your life will be, collaborative divorce allows everyone to move forward and have a fulfilling future.
FAQs About Collaborative Divorce
How does the collaborative divorce process work?
- In order for collaborative divorce to be effective, you and your partner must be willing to negotiate with one and other in a fair, reasonable, and respectful manner.
- Once you have determined that is possible, you will each hire a collaborative divorce attorney who has specific training in collaborative law.
- Then, everyone will sign a participation agreement, which is a commitment to using the collaborative process and a commitment to stay out of court (with the exception of finalizing the agreement).
- It may be necessary to involve additional collaborative professionals, so after the agreement is signed, you will build your team. This team may include a financial expert, a child specialist, or even a divorce coach.
- Now, negotiations begin. Over the span of a few days, you, your partner, your attorneys, and any other members of your team, participate in a series of meetings to resolve all of your divorce issues and create a settlement agreement.
- Once everyone is on board with the agreement, you will have a court date to finalize the agreement.
What are the benefits of collaborative divorce?
- You are able to control your destiny and make decisions about your future.
- You can save time and money.
- The relationship you and your partner had will not be completely destroyed. That is because you are working towards the best interests of everyone involved. Of course the relationship will change, but you will be able to move forward knowing you can work together because the need will likely arise again in the future.
- Collaborative divorce is more private as you do not have to air your grievances in the public court setting.
- Creative and unique solutions, that are tailored specifically to you and your family’s needs, are more likely to be crafted in a collaborative setting.
- This process can prevent you and your spouse from going to court in the future. When people participate in the negotiation and creating the resolution, they are more likely to adhere to the terms.
Are my partner and I good candidates for collaborative divorce?
If you are in a position where you and your partner can work together effectively and can be upfront and honest about financial information, collaborative divorce is an option for you. In addition, if there are circumstances in your divorce that require you and your partner to have an ongoing relationship after the fact, negotiating throughout the collaborative process can lay the foundation for successful communication in the future.
If there is a severe power imbalance in your relationship or there has been issues with domestic violence, it may not be possible for all parties to negotiate in good faith, so collaborative law would not be a good option for you.
Do I need specific collaborative divorce professionals?
Yes!! Collaborative divorce attorneys are specifically trained in the collaborative divorce process. This means that they have the skills and experience to help you resolve your divorce without going to court. In fact, if your team does not reach a settlement agreement and you and your partner need to involve the courts, your attorneys will be dismissed. Therefore, it is in your best interest to hire an attorney, like Lindsay B. Coleman, who is a certified collaborative divorce professional.