According to Money Magazine, traditional divorce can cost $20,000 to $50,00 while a collaborative case is more likely to run $12,000 to $20,000 for a separating couple. It's a gentler process designed to bring quicker settlements that are fair to both parties. There are now 7,000 lawyers trained in the United States. Washington has at least five collaborative law groups comprised of lawyers and other professionals able to offer clients this no-court approach to divorce.

Collaborative divorce is a new divorce process where both sides agree not to go to court to resolve their differences. If a settlement isn't reached the lawyers must withdraw-- a clause Money Magazine reports is "intended as an incentive for everyone to get it right the first time." The magazine reports that couple's can save 40% to 65% in legal fees. This figure coincides with my experience, reports Stefani Quane of Lawlady, Inc., co-founder of Washington State's first collaborative law group- Washington Collaborative Law. "The process is designed to decrease the couple's stress and and spark creativity to find win/win solutions for both sides." As one collaborative law client reports, "This process makes much sense than the insanity of litigation."

For people interested in collaborative divorce at the local Puget Sound level, visit www.lawlady.com, www.washcl.org, or www.soundcollaboration.org. For information at the national level, visit www.collaborativepractice.com.



Author Information

Stefani Quane
LAWLADY, INC.