Collaborative Alternatives
  • Marriage Crisis Intervention
  • Trusts & Estates
    • Teamwork in Estates and Trusts
    • Enhancing Family Communication
    • The Road Not Taken
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Training Offerings for Professionals
  • A Unique Approach
  • The Collaborative Team
  • Get the Support You Need
  • Divorce Support Group
    • Why a Support Group?
    • Divorce Support Group FAQs
  • Is CD the Right Choice?
    • The Sensitive Issue of Money
  • Commonalities and Differences
  • Children's Rights
  • Ethical Guidelines
  • Biographies
  • Contact Us
  • IACP 2011 Forum Presentation Information
MEDIATION / COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE COMMONALITIES AND DIFFERENCES
COMMONALITIES

  • Parties create their own path to resolve their differences and make decisions.
  • Parties participate in direct discussion with each other to resolve differences.
  • A mediator helps contain conflict.
  • Interest based negotiations are utilized (versus positional bargaining).
  • Parties obtain knowledge and education necessary for the negotiation process.
  • A mediator attempts to facilitate a balanced, fair process.
  • A mediator makes a concerted attempt to prevent unfair tactics.
  • The process depends on honest and open disclosure of information.
  • The mediator strives for a balance between the parties and can offer support to a weaker party if necessary.

DIFFERENCES

  • Collaborative Divorce is an interdisciplinary team approach that integrates specialists as part of the process.
  • Parties are coached individually and together to obtain skills needed for the negotiation process.
  • The focus is on the health of the whole family; during and after the divorce.
  • The children are given a voice: a child specialist advocates for them and helps parents create a parenting plan that takes children's needs into consideration.
  • Parties are given additional support and an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills necessary for negotiation and four-way meetings by having a personal divorce coach.
  • The integrative process provides additional structure to contain conflict, change destructive behaviors and create positive change in the family.

P.S. You're never alone—it’s a lot easier!