The Importance of a Unified Statement of Interests and Goals in Collaborative Practice
A cornerstone in the Collaborative Process is interest-based negotiations. Early in the process each professional, and eventually the full team, listens to the clients describe their reasons for selecting Collaborative over other divorce processes. In this discussion we explore their interests, goals, and needs which are to guide the team in option building and in […]
Collaborative Professionals of Southwest Florida Successfully Complete Pro Bono Collaborative Case
Ashley and Jacob proceeded with a Dissolution of Marriage through a pro bono Collaborative Divorce proceeding. Ashley had been approved for representation by the Lee County Legal Aid Society. Legal Aid brought Ashley’s case to the attention of the Collaborative Professionals of Southwest Florida for possible pro bono representation. The efforts to create a local […]
UPDATE: Collaborative Rules Amendment Filed To Supreme Court
UPDATE 3/30/17 9:00 A.M. : The amended rule of professional responsibility was filed with the Florida Supreme Court earlier this morning. As you know, Judge Laurel Lee and I presented the Collaborative rules to the Florida Supreme Court last Thursday. Earlier, the Court issued a unanimous opinion in which it requested that The Florida Bar and […]
What Is the Collaborative Process And Why Is Charlie Crist Using It?
On Feb. 24, U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, R-St. Petersburg, filed for divorce. In his petition, Crist states that he anticipates that he and his wife will go through a “collaborative law process.” What is a collaborative divorce? A collaborative divorce means that all issues are resolved outside court. Each spouse retains his or her own […]
Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist Announces He and His Wife Will Use The Collaborative Process
Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist is seeking a divorce from his wife of eight years. While the former Governor and current U.S. Representative currently has a prenuptial agreement with his wife, Carole, there are still issues that need to be worked out and the two are doing it Collaboratively. Crist announced that he and his […]
LISTEN: Collaborative Process A Growing Trend In Florida
Earlier today a couple of our members, Keith Grossman and Trisch Gerber, had the opportunity to speak on WGCU an NPR affiliate in Southwest Florida. Keith and Trisch talked about the growth of the Collaborative Process in the state of Florida and the benefits of using the Collaborative Process when going through a divorce. You […]
Oral Arguments To Florida Supreme Court On Collaborative Rules Take Place Thursday
The Florida Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the rules for the Collaborative Process. This is a historic hearing for the Collaborative Process and can be seen live on the Florida Supreme Court’s Gavel to Gavel website on Thursday, February 9th at 9 A.M. We hope you join us in supporting Robert J. Merlin […]
In the Best Interests of the Child: Drafting Parenting Plans Considering the Child’s Age and Special Needs
To truly be in the best interests of the child, parenting plans cannot be based on “fill-in-the-blank” templates. Such an approach may be fast, less expensive and address a divorcing couple’s need for finality but in no way addresses the nuances required by the stages of a child’s development. This article addresses the drafting issues […]
The Neutral Financial Professional and the Quest to Restore Synergy
The Missing Synergy: The value of a collaborative team is defined by the synergy it creates when a team of professionals come together as a group and achieve greater results than any of them could individually. That synergy is lost when team members are improperly utilized in ways that prevent them from using their skill […]
Collaborative Divorce: A Saner World
I recently sat at the table with a husband and wife who had just signed their marital settlement agreement. This signaled the end of their collaborative divorce process. I offered them my respect for how they had pursued the process on behalf of their children. They could have chosen a different path. The could have […]
