Kitsap Collaborative Law Alliance (KCLA) is an organization of independent family law professionals committed to reducing the expense and emotional trauma of divorce. Collaborative Law — also known as Collaborative Practice or Collaborative Divorce — is a new way for you to work with a team of trained lawyers, counselors, and financial planners to negotiate disputes respectfully, without going to court. It brings all the advantages of mediation while you also benefit from your own attorney’s support and advice, every step of the way.

Much like mediation, Collaborative Divorce helps you negotiate and decide all the issues of your case. You stay in full control of your final agreement. But unlike mediation, you are never left to negotiate on your own — each party is fully and individually represented throughout the process. Even if you are not completely confident about understanding financial and legal details, you can feel secure that your lawyer is there to explain everything and protect your best interests.

You may also benefit from expert consultation with other professional members of your Collaborative Team:

• Divorce Coach helps you manage strong emotions and prepare for negotiation by learning conflict management strategies
• Financial Specialist helps plan a realistic post-divorce budget
• Child Specialist supports your children through the process and represents their unique needs during negotiation.

Collaborative attorneys can also prepare all necessary paperwork and, if requested, attend the required hearing where the divorce agreement is presented to the court.

The collaborative process is designed to be less time consuming, less expensive and less confrontational than traditional adversarial divorce. Clients find they can focus on pertinent issues because stress and anxiety are so effectively reduced. They save money by jointly engaging the services of other professionals, such as financial planners, real estate, and tax accountants. The collaborative process is discrete and confidential because issues can be resolved without any of the public spectacle of court filings, transcripts, and hearings in open court.

The heart of Collaborative Practice is offering you and your spouse the support, protection, and guidance of your own lawyers and other professionals. Child specialists, financial planners, and divorce coaches all work together on your team to save your family from the emotional trauma and tremendous expense of a litigated divorce.

Read more about what to expect from a Collaborative Divorce.

Or, learn more about the professional members of your Collaborative Team.