FAQ – South Central Illinois Collaborative Family Law Association

Collaborative Practice is a voluntary dispute resolution process in which parties settle without resort to litigation.

There are 6 components to a successful Collaborative divorce:

The parties sign a collaborative participation agreement describing the nature and scope of the matter.
The parties voluntarily disclose all information which is relevant and material to the matter that must be decided.
The parties agree to use good faith efforts in their negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable settlement.
Each party must be represented by a lawyer whose representation terminates upon the undertaking of any contested court proceeding.
The parties may engage mental health and financial professionals whose engagement terminates upon the undertaking of any contested court proceeding.
The parties may jointly engage other experts as needed

If the following values are important to you, Collaborative Practice is likely to be a workable option for you:

I want us to communicate with a tone of respect.
I want to prioritize the needs of our children.
My needs and those of my spouse/partner require equal consideration, and I will listen objectively.
I believe that working creatively and cooperatively resolves issues.
It is important to reach beyond today’s frustration and pain to plan for the future.
I can behave ethically toward my spouse/partner.
I choose to maintain control of the divorce/separation process with my spouse/partner, and not relegate it to the courts.