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Collaborative Family Law

In many cases, collaborative family law can be more efficient, less costly, and less stressful than mediation or litigation

In collaborative family law, separating or divorcing spouses work together cooperatively, each represented by their own lawyer who practices collaborative family law, to reach solutions that are acceptable to both parties. Both you and your spouse are required to commit to confidential, honest and respectful communication; full disclosure of all relevant information; working together to reach a resolution you can both agree on; and staying out of court.

Connect is excited to introduce its latest initiative Connect Community designed to offer families with limited resources a fixed-fee alternative for how they resolve their family law matters. To learn more about this initiative, and whether it fits your family’s needs, click here. In the right circumstances, there are a number of advantages to a collaborative approach: in many cases, it can be more efficient, less costly, and less stressful than mediation or litigation. If you have children, it can also be good practice for the co-parenting challenges you will likely face in the future. Despite its benefits, collaborative family law is not for everyone. If there is a history of family violence in your relationship, or you have serious doubts about you or your spouse’s ability to commit to the process, we will likely recommend an alternative approach to dealing with your separation / divorce.
Did you know?

Divorce is a common reality for many Canadians.

Although Statistics Canada has not been collecting Canada’s annual marriage and divorce rates since 2008, it seems fairly widely accepted that over 40% of Canadian marriages are expected to end in divorce. Such statistics do not account for further separations experienced by unmarried spouses (common-law couples); this makes separation and divorce a common life event for many Canadians. Collaborative divorce provides a non-adversarial approach to dealing with a separation.

FAQs

Have a question about marriage agreements? Check out our frequently asked questions. For more, see the full list of FAQs, or connect with us.
What is Collaborative Law?

In collaborative family law, separating or divorcing spouses work together cooperatively, each represented by their own lawyer who practices collaborative family law, to reach solutions that are acceptable to both parties. Both you and your spouse are required to commit to confidential, honest and respectful communication; full disclosure of all relevant information; working together to reach a resolution you can both agree on; and staying out of court.

Is Collaborative Law for everyone?

Despite its benefits, collaborative family law is not for everyone. If there is a history of family violence in your relationship, or you have serious doubts about you or your spouse’s ability to commit to the process, we will likely recommend an alternative approach to dealing with your separation / divorce.

Why should I choose Collaborative Law?

Collaborative law can be more efficient, less costly, and less stressful than mediation or litigation. If you have children, it can also be good practice for the co-parenting challenges you will likely face in the future.

What does Collaborative process involve?

In the Collaborative process, you and your spouse will work with collaboratively trained lawyers, divorce coaches and financial experts (if required) to reach a mutually agreed upon resolution, without going to Court.

Other family law services

In our experience, we work best with clients who wish to de-escalate conflict and take a constructive approach to resolving their family law issues. Such a mindset can reduce the stress that often accompanies separation and divorce and will help preserve your health and well-being so that you can thrive post-divorce.

Connect with us

If you have questions about our process or family law in general, please feel free to refer to our FAQs or you can give us a call.