WHAT IS A COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE? A Collaborative Divorce is an alternative to the traditional combative divorce process that focuses on helping the divorcing couple and their family move beyond the divorce more productively and less painfully. WHY IS COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE “LESS PAINFUL” THAN TRADITIONAL DIVORCE? Collaborative Divorce uses a team based approach, where each couple has a collaboratively trained lawyer and the option of calling in other specialists, such as mental health counselors, child specialists and a neutral financial adviser to help the divorcing couple and their family come to mutual and respectful agreement. In Collaborative Divorce, couples pledge to resolve their dispute outside the courtroom. Collaborative Divorce focuses on minimizing conflicts so that the divorcing couple can move forward with their lives. SO ARE YOU ESSENTIALLY SAYING THAT COURTS AND JUDGES ARE BAD? No.  Courts and judges in Fairfax, Arlington, and throughout Northern Virginia certainly have important roles in most criminal and civil matters.  But Collaborative Divorce helps the couple move forward with their lives less painfully than a litigated divorce. Collaborative Divorce puts decisions in the hands of the couple, fosters a safe, supportive environment, maintains privacy, and helps the couple come to mutual and respectful agreement. Want to know the answers to more frequently asked questions about Collaborative Divorce?