Collaborative Law

Collaborative Law | Family Law | Maintenance/Alimony | Modifications & Enforcements | Property Division

Is Mediation or Collaborative Law the Way to Resolve Your Illinois Divorce?

If you and your spouse are able to agree on major issues such as child custody and property division, our lawyers can help move your divorce forward with an eye toward maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Please contact us to discuss the requirements and advantages of reaching resolution through collaborative law.

What Is Collaborative Law?

Collaborative law is a type of alternative dispute resolution — a category that also includes proceedings outside the courtroom. When applied to divorce, this essentially means you and your spouse will meet in the presence of attorneys at a series of meetings to work out a mutually acceptable marital separation agreement and parenting plan prior to appearing before a judge. Many divorcing couples have found that this approach reduces the stress, cost and duration of divorce proceedings. This process also permits the parties to have child specialists and financial professionals present at the collaborative law conferences.

Amicable Communication Is Essential to Collaborative Law or Mediation

At Bennett Law, our attorneys have extensive knowledge and experience with collaborative law and mediation. Our founder, Margaret A. Bennett, has helped many clients evaluate their options and then reach resolution of their case by these means.

We will ask the right questions to help you determine whether collaborative law or mediation is likely to effectively resolve your divorce case. It is critical to recognize that, for this solution to work, most parties must be able to discuss and reach a basic agreement on major issues such as:

Child custody and visitation.
Child support and spousal maintenance/alimony, if applicable.
All aspects of property division.
An agreement to make full and complete disclosure of the marital assets, income and liabilities.

Collaborative Law or Mediation Can Save Time, Money and Stress

If you truly believe your divorce can be amicable and you are still able to communicate rationally with your spouse, you may be good candidates for collaborative law or mediation. Resolving issues through discussion, with minimal input from attorneys, will save you time and money. If you have children, this process may serve the best interest of your family.

Although you will still have to appear in court to obtain a judgment for dissolution of marriage — and we strongly recommend both parties retain legal counsel— we are very willing to help you by utilizing the collaborative or mediated process. We will be happy to explore this option in a thorough, informative initial consultation. Please call (630) 573-8800 or contact us by e-mail today to begin the process.