Benefits of Collaborative Family Law

• It can be used if you were married; in a de facto or same-sex relationship
• It can be used if you are thinking about entering into a marriage or de facto relationship
• You can tackle all of the issues in the one process, whether they are about the care of the children, property division or other financial issues
• Unlike mediation, both lawyers are always present so that you get to hear the legal advice your partner is getting and vice versa
• You can call upon the expertise of other professionals, not just lawyers, who can help you reach an agreement
• You keep control of the process
• It creates a cooperative and non-adversarial environment
• It addresses the family’s questions and concerns
• It reduces conflict, anxiety and uncertainty for all parties
• It addresses interim and long-term solutions
• You can avoid court
• It preserves dignity and self-respect
• It conserves financial and emotional resources
• It generally results in legally binding agreements or consent orders
• It preserves privacy
• It usually saves time and money