Experienced Collaborative Family Law in Middle Tennessee
A growing trend in Tennessee is the use of collaborative law in resolving divorce issues. This conflict resolution method protects the rights of parents and children even after the resolution of a divorce. Collaborative divorce can help resolve all divorce issues including child support, child custody, visitation, asset division, spousal support and property division. Collaborative Divorce helps couples experiencing a great deal of conflict to focus on everyone's best interests in a respectful and sensible way, which often results in an overall reduction of conflict for the parties and their children. Collaborative Divorce also helps low conflict couples maintain their amicability that is so often lost in the divorce process. If you are interested in a less expensive and much more efficient divorce process, consider a collaborative divorce approach.
Trained Collaborative Divorce Lawyer
At Papa & Roberts, PLLC, our family law attorney Benjamin Papa is one of the pioneers of collaborative divorce in Middle Tennessee and has extensive experience representing clients through the process. He is trained in collaborative divorce and currently serves as President of the Middle Tennessee Collaborative Alliance, which is Middle Tennessee's collaborative divorce practice group. Mr. Papa is also an active member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.
Given his extensive collaborative law experience, he also emphasizes a catered approach to each and every one of his individual divorce clients. He will evaluate your case and proceed with the best possible method for your particular situation. Whether this means collaborative law, divorce mediation or divorce litigation, he will always advocate for your best interests, rather than a particular divorce process.
To schedule an appointment with an experienced and compassionate Nashville collaborative divorce lawyer, call 615-767-5900 or toll free at 888-746-8097, or send us an e-mail.
The Collaborative Law Process
The collaborative law process is a method for parties to resolve their divorce and family law issues in a respectful and productive manner. All parties involved, including representing attorneys, sign a participation agreement. This agreement determines the rules of engagement for the collaborative law process, including full disclosure, cooperation, a commitment to honesty and integrity, confidentiality and mutual agreement before any court filings as well as constructive and respectful communication throughout the process.
A critical part of this written agreement is the requirement that both attorneys withdraw from the case if either of the parties decides to move the case into litigation. Both parties are then required to hire new counsel to proceed with litigation.
One of the most interesting and helpful aspects of collaborative divorce is that during the collaborative law process, parties will work not just with attorneys but a "team" of professionals, including a neutral mental health coach and sometimes a financial neutral. This team-based model allows parties to effectively address all aspects of divorce, , including emotional, legal, practical and financial issues that are always part of the divorce process, regardless of the parties' level of conflict.
Benefits of a Collaborative Divorce
Here are some of the benefits of choosing a collaborative divorce:
- Fosters an environment with mutual respect and cooperation
- Keeps parties in an organized and scheduled manner toward finding a resolution
- Promotes the best interests of any children involved
- More time and cost efficient by avoiding the long and costly process of litigation
- Provides a process that has open communication
- Lends emotional support to all parties
- Allows parties to address all types of issues and concerns
- Parties are able to maintain a respectful relationship even after the collaborative process, which is especially important if the parties are to co-parent after the divorce
More Resources on Collaborative Law
- Collaborative Family Law
- Making Sense of Collaborative Law — Divorce and Conflict Resolution
- Collaborative Family Law–A Journey Far Beyond Victory
- The Basics of Collaborative Family Law – A Divorce Paradigm Shift
- Collaborative Revolution
- Spiritual Aspects of Collaborative Law
- Family Law Information Center
Contact Our Experienced Brentwood Divorce Mediation Attorney
Does collaborative law sound like a potential option for resolving your divorce or family law dispute? Contact us today to discuss your options with a skilled Franklin, Tennessee, divorce and family law attorney.
