Collaborative Alternatives

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!