What Is Collaborative Divorce?

A divorce process where both spouses and their attorneys commit to settling without court.

Collaborative divorce is a structured process in which both spouses hire specially trained collaborative attorneys and commit in writing to resolving all issues without going to court. The process typically involves a series of meetings (called "four-way meetings") with both spouses and both attorneys present. Other professionals — such as a financial neutral (often a CDFA), a child specialist, or a divorce coach — may also participate. The key feature of collaborative divorce is a disqualification clause: if the process breaks down and either party decides to go to court, both collaborative attorneys must withdraw, and the spouses must hire new attorneys for litigation. This provides a strong incentive for all parties to work toward agreement. Collaborative divorce tends to be less adversarial than litigation and less expensive than a prolonged court battle, though costs can vary widely depending on the complexity of the case.

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