Collaborative Law is a new form of dispute resolution in which both spouses are represented by lawyers in the traditional attorney-client relationship. The parties unconditionally promise not to go to court (litigate). With this non-combative approach, both clients and counsel are compelled to seek a negotiated settlement.

This approach, keeps the divorce civil, cooperative, and in many cases can even speed up the New York divorce process, since you are not at the mercy of the court's schedule. Another benefit to choosing Collaborative Law is that because you and your spouse are able to work together on an agreement, there is a greater chance that both parties will voluntarily follow through.

Collaborative divorce in New York uses informal methods of financial disclosure such as voluntary production of financial documents, four-way conferences, negotiation, and where needed, outside professionals including accountants, financial planners and family counselors.

Collaboration is the middle ground between mediation and full adversarial litigation. In mediation, the parties meet with a neutral mediator. In mediation the parties advocate for themselves while often using the services of consulting attorneys outside the mediation sessions. The neutral mediator cannot give any party advice or assist either of the parties in advocating their position.

As an experienced collaborative law attorney and mediator, Joel Salinger can assist you in preparation of all necessary paperwork and if requested, can attend the required court hearing where the divorce agreement is presented to the court for approval. A New York divorce litigated in court is likely to be much more expensive and time consuming than the costs and time involved in.

The poet, Browning once wrote the "best laid plans of mice and men often go awry". Be aware that collaboration can give way to combat. It is best to be aware of what can follow.

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