A Better Way
Are you tired of fighting? Let our Collaborative Team help
Are you tired of fighting? Of course you are. That’s the reason you and your spouse have decided to go your separate ways. Unfortunately, if you’re headed to court, it usually means the fighting has just begun. But what if there was another – more peaceful – way to move on with your lives?
There is another alternative to the courtroom drama. The Academy of Northern Kentucky Collaborative Professionals is a non-profit organization that offers that alternative: the Collaborative Process in family law cases.
Couples ending their marriages or domestic partnerships face many challenges. The Academy of Northern Kentucky Collaborative Professionals is a committed group of lawyers, accountants, financial planners, and counseling professionals who will help your family through this challenging time. Our lawyers are experienced in Kentucky divorce law, child custody law and resolving disputes outside of court. Our accountants, financial planners, and counseling professionals are experienced in financial and family issues you may be facing as a result of divorce or separation. These professionals establish an open and cooperative environment for you and your spouse to work through financial details and issues concerning your children.
Our Collaborative Team & Resources
Advantages of the Collaborative Process
Why Should You Consider the Collaborative Process? You know that going to court for divorce or separation is going to cost you, and these costs can be staggering. Financial setbacks, lost relationships, and the negative impact on children will outweigh the gains of the courtroom. Why not avoid that altogether?
The Collaborative Process is the alternative to going to court. You and your spouse will each work with concerned and seasoned professionals throughout the Collaborative Process. This process involves a series of meetings attended by you and your spouse, your attorneys, plus family specialists and financial specialists, if needed. Everyone works together as a team to resolve all issues related to your divorce or separation rather than allowing a judge to make those decisions for your family.
If both partners prefer problem-solving instead of fighting and a positive result for everyone involved, then the Collaborative Process is for you.
The Collaborative Process can be used in cases involving:
- Separation and divorce
- Custody and parenting arrangements
- Alimony
- Child support
- Division of assets, retirement accounts, and debts
- Marital and non-marital property
- Ending of unmarried relationships
- Prenuptial agreements
- Post-decree modification of custody, child support, or alimony
The key benefits you will receive by using the Collaborative Process are:
- The process is private; you avoid a public courtroom.
- Your dignity and self-esteem are preserved.
- You are empowered instead of confused, frustrated, and helpless.
- You will avoid the suffering and drama of a long, drawn-out court battle.
- Your children will be shielded from unnecessary suffering.
- You will learn a cooperative approach to solve problems creatively.
- Both parties provide full disclosure of all financial information for a positive result.
- Your meetings are private and confidential with your team of professionals rather than public court hearings.
- Everyone involved will be focusing on collaboration and negotiation rather than confrontation and argument.
- The signed Collaborative Participation Agreement requires everyone to work together to resolve all issues and eliminates court hearings.
- Litigation inevitably leads to increased hostility. Airing dirty laundry and having to make allegations against one another in court only escalates an already difficult situation.
- Litigation can be costly. Depositions, financial records, asset searches, expert witnesses and more add to legal fees and costs.
- Overcrowded courts and over-loaded court calendars can cause extensive delays in the divorce process.
- Decisions about your life will be made by a stranger (i.e., judge) with limited knowledge of your life.
At any time during the process, if a settlement is not completely reached, you and your spouse may decide to withdraw from the Collaborative Participation Agreement. If this happens, the Agreement requires lawyers and other professionals for both parties to withdraw from your case. You may then hire new counsel to settle your separation or divorce issues in the traditional courtroom setting. Your collaborative attorney can assist you in locating new counsel and help with the transition.
