What is Collaborative Divorce

Collaborative Divorce in Seattle, Olympia & Tacoma

Simply put, a collaborative divorce is a negotiation that takes place in private between spouses and their attorneys, often with the help of neutral experts, such as financial advisors or child specialists.

The attorneys work individually with their client and assist with negotiations, which are done in a group setting with everyone present. Experts are used to provide unbiased assistance with specialized issues.

In 2013, Governor Jay Inslee signed the Uniform Collaborative Law Act. This means that unlike other divorce processes, Collaborative Divorce gives participants unique legal protections established in Washington law.

A unique element of this process is the attorneys sign a participation agreement, which includes a clause stating they are barred from taking the case to trial. The agreement ensures that the attorneys make every effort to resolve the case within the collaborative model