One of the most difficult decisions--to divorce--can lead to a path of litigation, conflict, and expense.  

A Collaborative Law approach can shift the focus from that path to one of solving problems without court, getting the answers you need, and reducing conflict.

The Bloomington Association of Collaborative Professionals, Inc. (BACP) is a professional organization of attorneys, mental health professionals, and financial professionals in and around Bloomington, Indiana, who work as a team to use a Collaborative approach in family law cases.  All BACP members are in good standing in their respective professions and have been trained in Collaborative Divorce.  

A Collaborative Divorce works through a series of meetings, instead of court hearings, and it includes three essential elements:

1. Shared Information: Both sides agree up front to share all information equally. If the divorce requires that new information be acquired (for example, appraising a house), then the parties agree to jointly hire a neutral expert, rather than arguing about whose values are correct.

2. No Court: Both parties, and both attorneys, promise that they will not go to court as part of the divorce. In fact, the retainer agreements for each attorney contain a clause that if either the Husband or the Wife wishes to go to court, that both attorneys must immediately withdraw from the case.
3. Respect for Shared Goals: At the outset of the Collaborative process, both sides and their attorneys sit down to discuss shared goals, such as minimizing conflict in front of the children, preserving good relationships for each parent with the children, ensuring that each person has sufficient assets to move on and build a new life, and etc. Both sides commit to respecting those goals throughout the process and doing as much as possible to ensure that the shared goals are met.

While many attorneys incorporate collaborative techniques into their practices, a Collaborative Divorce that officially incorporates the three elements can happen only when both attorneys have been trained in Collaborative Divorce.  

For more information about Collaborative Law, visit the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP).   

If you are interested in a Collaborative Divorce, talk to an attorney, therapist, or financial professional for more information.  To get started, the first step is to set up a consultation with an attorney trained in Collaborative Divorce.  For more information on our practice group, please email us.