Collaborative Divorce in Connecticut
The information presented here is only meant to offer a brief guide to collaborative divorce law in Connecticut. It is not and should not be construed as legal advice and does not form an attorney/client relationship. Questions about your individual circumstances should be discussed with a licensed attorney. A Connecticut collaborative divorce attorney at the Law Offices of Irene C. Olszewski, LLC in East Hartford, Connecticut is available to assist you in your legal matters.
What Is Collaborative Divorce?
Collaborative Divorce is a process whereby the spouses and their collaboratively-trained lawyers work together, often with the assistance of a neutral financial professional and a coach, to reach a fair divorce agreement.
How Does Collaborative Divorce Differ From Traditional Court-Based Divorce Litigation?
Unlike traditional court-based divorce (litigation), the participants in a collaborative divorce are empowered to make their own decisions rather than to rely on a judge to do so. The divorcing spouses and their collaborative team work together to form an agreement based upon the individual needs and interests of the couple (and their children, if they have any).
The participants sign an agreement stating that they will not litigate the case in court. They agree to share all information required to facilitate the process and don’t hide information from anyone in the process. If one of the participants breaks the agreement and takes the case to court, the collaborative lawyers and other professionals are discharged from the case and will not participate in the litigation.
Collaborative divorce is usually less expensive than traditional divorce for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, because the process takes place outside the courtroom, the spouses do not incur fees for multiple court battles (which often require hours of waiting around in the hallway waiting for your case to be called).
How Does A Collaborative Team Facilitate the Divorce?
There is an enormous emotional component to every divorce which can often cause one or both of the spouses to feel considerable anxiety. The collaborative approach recognizes this basic human element and factors it in to the process. When needed, a neutral coach works with the couple to help them with the emotional aspects of difficult issues and helps to promote productive communication.
The collaborative divorce participants are represented by separate lawyers who are there to advise them about the complicated legal issues. However, unlike traditional divorce, a lawyer is not there to try to convince a judge to give his or her client exactly what that client wants – without regard for the needs and interests of the couple (and their children). The collaborative lawyer’s job is to refocus the participants on their common goals, which include being able to meet future financial needs, to have well-adjusted children, and to be able to move forward with as little disruption and trauma as possible.
When assets need to be properly valued, the participants work with a neutral financial professional (who is also collaboratively trained). By sharing this professional resource, the participants pay a much lower fee and the process is often expedited.
The Bottom Line
Collaborative divorce may not be suitable for all couples. However, a candid discussion with a collaboratively-trained attorney will help you decide if the process is right for you.
Attorney Olszewski is a member of the Collaborative Divorce Professionals (Connecticut). Be sure to visit their website for more detailed information on the Collaborative Divorce Process in Connecticut.
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Contact a Connecticut Collaborative Divorce Lawyer
Law Offices of Irene C. Olszewski, LLC
100 Main Street, Suite 200
East Hartford, Connecticut 06118
Telephone: (860) 216-2649 Facsimile: (860) 216-2651
e-mail: irenelaw1@aol.com
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The Law Offices of Irene C. Olszewski, LLC handles collaborative divorce and other legal matters for clients throughout the state of Connecticut including Hartford County, Tolland County, Middlesex County, New Haven County, New London County, Litchfield County, Windham County, and Fairfield County; and the cities of Hartford, East Hartford, Glastonbury, Manchester, Wethersfield, Tolland, Vernon, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Rockville, Portland, Ashford, Windham, Ellington, Coventry, Colchester and all other Connecticut towns. .
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Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal advice. Use of this website and/or the information contained on this website is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship. All legal questions should be addressed to a licensed attorney.
East Hartford, Connecticut Collaborative Divorce Lawyer
East Hartford, Connecticut Family Law Lawyer
Collaborative Law
