Divorce is both an ending and a beginning. Collaborative practice helps each spouse anticipate their needs in moving forward and include these in the discussions. When children are involved, collaborative practice makes their future a number one priority. As a more respectful, dignified process, collaborative practice helps families make a smoother transition to the next stage of their lives. Collaborative practice, by definition, is a nonadversarial approach to divorce, whereby spouses and their lawyers pledge in writing not to go to court. Instead, each party negotiates in good faith and achieves a mutually agreed-upon settlement outside of court. The cooperative nature of collaborative practice can greatly ease the emotional strain caused by the breakup of a relationship and protect the well-being of one’s children. At Stearns-Montgomery & Proctor, we have attorneys certified in collaborative practice ready to assist you with your divorce. Schedule a consultation with us or learn more about collaborative practices