Adversarial/Trial Process

Collaborative Law Approach

• Parties only see each other in court.
• Less communication.
• Attorney is being heard by the court.

• Parties and attorneys all meet together.
• More communication.
• Each person is heard by all.

• Attorney's fee spent on pre-trial preparation and in-court representation.
• Slower result
• Higher fees

• Attorney's fees more efficiently spent on obtaining a satisfactory resolution.
• Faster result.
• Lower fees.

• More money used to obtain necessary information.

• Cost-effective voluntary sharing of information.

• Decisions made by a judge.

• Decisions made by the parties, with the assistance of legal counsel.

• Testify against each other.
• Damages relationship.

• Cooperation of parties.
• Fosters healing of relationship.

• Traumatic experience.
• Personal information seen and heard in a public place.

• Satisfaction and accomplishment.
• Entire process is conducted in a private location.