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2008 Fam. L. Litig. 1 (2008)

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A Publication of the Family Law Litigation Committee of the Section of Litigation
Vol 7, NoS-Sm er20

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Collaborative Divorce:
Towards a Conflict-Free Divorce
by Jeanmarie Papelian
Introduction
Collaborative law is a form of alternate dispute resolution adopted by practitioners across
the country. The practice originated in the field of family law, and continues to have its
strongest base in that area. However, in recent years it has expanded to other areas of
law. For example, some employment attorneys now use the collaborative approach where
the parties to a dispute must continue to have a relationship with one another after the
dispute has ended.
What Is Collaborative Law?
Collaborative law uses a cooperative model for resolving conflict. Minnesota lawyer, Stu
Webb, frustrated by the adversarial nature of his practice, developed the model in the
late 1980's. The Collaborative Law Institute has defined collaborative law as a way of
practicing law whereby the attorneys for both of the parties to a dispute agree to assist
in resolving conflict using cooperative strategies rather than adversarial techniques and
litigation. Negotiations occur at a series of four-way meetings. Prior to the meeting, an
agenda is prepared. Homework is assigned for future meetings. At the meetings, parties
and counsel gather to exchange information, and identify and discuss issues. In the model
developed by Stu Webb, the parties and their counsel enter into a four-way agreement
to participate in the collaborative process. They agree to full disclosure and exchange
of information, and they voluntarily agree to refrain from encumbering or disposing of
assets pending resolution. Collaborative practitioners adopt the following four principles:
(1) proactive participation; (2) interest-based understanding; (3) cooperative resolution;
and (4) team effort.

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