What is Collaborative Law?
Collaborative law is an out-of-court approach to resolving divorce and separation issues. Unlike going to court — where a judge hands down a decision that neither party may fully accept — the collaborative approach involves mutual problem-solving by all parties, leading to a final separation agreement that the parties themselves have shaped.
The primary requirement is that both parties must agree to participate and commit to not going to court. The voluntary process begins when both spouses sign a participation agreement, binding them to the process and disqualifying their respective lawyers from representing either party in any future family-related litigation if the collaborative process breaks down.
Anna Boulman has been specifically trained in collaborative law methods and approaches. She combines her legal skills with those of therapists, coaches, financial advisors, and other professionals to achieve results that are in her clients' best interests.
How the Collaborative Process Works
- Both spouses retain trained collaborative lawyers (both lawyers must be collaborative-certified)
- Both parties sign a participation agreement committing to the process and to full financial disclosure
- Four-way meetings take place between both parties and both lawyers
- Financial advisors, therapists, child specialists, or other neutral professionals may join as needed
- All parties work together to find solutions that meet the whole family's interests
- The process concludes with a comprehensive separation agreement
Collaborative Law vs. Mediation
Collaborative divorce may seem similar to mediation, but the key difference is the written participation agreement signed at the beginning — committing all parties to the process and to not proceeding to court. In mediation, the mediator is a neutral third party. In collaborative law, each party has their own lawyer present in all discussions.
Benefits of Collaborative Law
- More respectful and less adversarial than litigation
- Typically less expensive than going to court
- Preserves and supports ongoing co-parenting relationships
- Solutions are tailored to your family's specific needs — not imposed by a judge
- Greater privacy than court proceedings
- Faster resolution in most cases
Is Collaborative Law Right for You?
Collaborative law works best when both parties are willing to negotiate in good faith and share full financial disclosure. It may not be appropriate in cases involving significant power imbalances or a history of domestic abuse. Anna Boulman will honestly assess your situation and advise you on whether collaborative law is a good fit — and if not, what alternative approaches may work better.