Set Up Your Collaborative Case For Success!

Will the collaborative process work for you? It would be disappointing and expensive to end the collaborative process because you and your partner were unable to reach an agreement...

Understanding your point of view and your partner's point of view toward decision making can help your coach and attorney assess the likelihood of success. It will also help them prepare for difficulties in the process, so the team is aware of dynamics that can otherwise impede the process.

Following are some questions to ask yourself that will clarify your positions and interests, providing you with a greater likelihood that the process will work as it is designed to:

• Are you able to look at a problem from your partner's point of view?
• Are you intimidated by your partner?
• Are you willing to let go of short-term or inconsequential goals in order to reach your primary goal?
  
• Are you willing to trust your partner if information is verified?
• Is it important to you to maintain a respectful relationship with your partner after the divorce?
• If you have children, is it important to you that the children maintain a strong and healthy relationship with both parents?
• Have you accepted the fact that the divorce will happen?

Understanding commitments around these issues will help the team work toward a positive result for you.

Kathleen O'Connor, Esq.