Collaborative law is a relatively new approach to resolving family law complications that have been gaining popularity in Bucks County and around the world. The term “collaborative” in collaborative law highlights the concept that this approach involves all the parties of the dispute working together to resolve their issues. Here’s why Bucks County residents are turning to collaborative law to resolve their family law disputes.
Collaborative law preserves relationships
In collaborative law, while the parties work together to resolve their issues, the main aim is to preserve their relationships. Unlike litigation, which can get destructive and adversarial, collaborative law processes encourage people to work through their issues in a non-threatening environment, which allows for successful results and preserves their relationships.
Collaborative law can save time and money
A Collaborative law approach can save money and time because it is faster and less formal than a court case. In litigation, there is usually a need for lengthy discovery procedures, extensive paperwork, court appearances, and trial preparation, which can be costly. Collaborative law eliminates these formalities, as it focuses on exploring alternatives that work for all the parties. This means that collaborative law can be less expensive than traditional litigation.
Collaborative law promotes confidentiality
Collaborative law promotes confidentiality, which is an advantage over litigation. One reason why many people prefer collaborative law over other dispute resolution methods is that it keeps all the parties’ information confidential. Court records and pleadings are public, However, a collaborative law proceeding can be kept completely private to the parties and the professionals working with them. This means that personal, emotional, and financial information, which can be found in a divorce case, remains protected and disclosed only to the persons involved.
Collaborative law empowers the parties
Collaborative law empowers the parties, giving them the power to have their voices heard and their needs, interests, and concerns addressed. Collaborative law allows people who were once kept in the dark to maintain full knowledge of the proceedings throughout the entire process. The parties in a collaborative process do not have to rely on their lawyers to negotiate and represent them. Collaborative law gives them more control over the outcome of their proceedings.
Collaborative law is flexible
Collaborative law is a flexible approach to resolving disputes that enables parties to tailor-make the process to suit their needs. The parties can agree on what their priorities and terms of divorce will be, such as co-parenting and property division, without adhering to the strict rules of the court. Flexibility is key when dealing with family law matters because no two cases are alike.
Conclusion
Collaborative law has become the go-to approach for addressing family law disputes in Bucks County. Collaborative law preserves relationships, saves time and money, promotes confidentiality, empowers the parties, and is flexible. The Bucks County Bar Association provides trained professionals who work together to help parties reach a fair, equitable, and cost-effective resolution to their family law disputes. Contact the Bucks County Bar Association today to schedule a consultation.