By Ann M. Allenson*

Family law proceedings are a contentious process that involve deeply personal issues. The collaborative process simply takes on these same deeply personal issues in a different way. As collaborative attorneys we provide our clients with a less adversarial way to take control of their futures and empower our clients work through their legal issues. There are times, even in the collaborative process, when the situation can get contentious. By providing our clients with information about the collaborative process we are able to point out the areas in which our clients need to be the most careful, and can prepare them to get through these tough times.

Collaborative law is not perfect, and conflicts do still arise. The difference with collaborative law is that the parties themselves get to make decisions about their lives, not the court. One of the primary roles of attorneys in the collaborative process is to prepare our clients for these difficult times. We will work with you to develop a strategy, and help you develop the practical skills necessary to work to a mutually beneficial solution.

One of the biggest problems that collaborative law clients face is the instinctive reaction to threaten to “just go to court” when things get tough. Working with our clients, we prepare them to deal with tough situations like this which can lead to failure of the collaborative process. Preparation, knowledge, and communication are crucial for success in the collaborative law process. A collaborative law attorney will work with the client to ensure that they are well aware of what will be the most difficult areas of their case, and that they are well prepared to effectively communicate when the time comes to discuss those areas.

Through a proactive approach that tackles problems head on rather than leaving them for someone else to decide, our collaborative law clients take control of the process and get on with their lives quickly and effectively. The collaborative law approach goes beyond just the legal issues and incorporates other collaborative professionals to create a unique experience for our clients.

*Ms. Allenson is a collaborative divorce attorney practicing at the Goldstein Law Office in Golden Valley, Minnesota.