This is well established in the US and Canada and started in this country in 2003. When a couple agrees to collaborate and both have solicitors who are trained collaborative lawyers, all issues are resolved during round-table meetings with all four of them. If appropriate, other people, such as experts or financial advisers may also attend a meeting.

Both former partners and both solicitors work on this process together and all four agree not to litigate. This means if the collaborative process broke down, both partners would need to go to new solicitors. This is a strong incentive for all four to make it work and the failure rate is low. In the same way as with mediation the process allows for an alternative solution outside of what the law and the court can provide. It therefore allows room for innovative solutions that both partners can accept and that enables both of them to come out of the process with a working relationship with each other still intact or re-established.
Even in the rare cases that the process breaks down the disclosure that has been put together can be used in negotiation or litigation and there should be no need for duplication of work or costs.

Thea Henley is a trained collaborative lawyer and can suggest other specialists who can work with your former partner. Although not as cheap as mediation, collaborative law is a very cost-effective way to find the best solution for the whole family as compared to the potential costs of litigation.