| Collaborative Process |  |
At WeMediate, we have adopted collaborative family law as a new approach in managing the separation process, in a dignified manner. In the collaborative process, the family law lawyers and their clients agree in writing to reach settlement without court involvement.
They agree to work together to resolve children and 
financial
issues arising out of the separation. In addition, they may enlist other
experts, such as child specialists, as part of the team. Utilizing their
skills in client representation, negotiation and problem-solving, collaborative
family law lawyers help their clients shape a fair agreement. Relationship
breakdown will always involve financial and emotional costs. The benefits
of collaborative family law help minimize those costs for all concerned.
Rather than focusing on going to court, collaborative lawyers help their clients to focus on solutions to the issues arising out of their separation. The parties and lawyers meet together, freely exchanging financial information and any other information that will be relevant to the resolution of the issues. If expert advice is needed from other professionals, the parties agree to use the same expert and agree to share the costs. The lawyers are committed to working "collaboratively" together to help the parties arrive at a settlement. In fact, if the matter does not settle, the parties will have to retain new lawyers to go to court. So, rather than a "lose-lose" situation, despite the turmoil of separation, it can be "win-win" for both parties including the children.
