Family Lawyers Mackay
74 Victoria St Mackay QLD 4740
Mon-Fri: 8.30am to 5pm

COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE

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Collaborative Practice

Collaborative practice is a popular dispute-resolution method developed in the United States in the early 1990s. It has gained rapid popularity in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Now Collaborative practice is available to help people in Australia.

Benefits of Collaborative Practice

  • You have the benefit of being advised and supported by your lawyer at all times.
  • The outcomes are generally faster than traditional negotiation methods and most certainly quicker than court outcomes.
  • The outcomes are certain and long-lasting because they are owned by you as you assisted in creating the outcomes.
  • The process promotes cooperation in the future, particularly where long-term investments are involved.
  • Resolutions are reached in a dignified and respectful way.
  • The outcomes are often tailor-made and more creative providing fairer settlements.

 

ALWAYS KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND KNOW WHERE YOU STAND

By consulting one of our accredited family law mackay specialists.

The collaborative practice may be suitable for you and your partner if both of you:COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE

  • Wish to spare your children from the emotional damage litigation can cause.
  • Accept personal responsibility in moving forward and reaching an agreement.
  • Believe it is important to create healthy and more holistic solutions for your future.
  • Understand and embrace the necessity to make full and frank disclosure about financial issues.

 

The collaborative practice may not be suitable for you and your partner if either of you:

  • Have a primary aim to seek revenge against your former spouse or partner.
  • Are looking for a “soft option”.
  • Believe the procedure will pressure your spouse or partner to agree to your wishes.
  • Want to avoid giving certain financial information to your spouse or partner?
  • Where your relationship has experienced domestic violence or any form of abuse. If this is the case, the lawyers will first have to determine whether Collaborative practice is appropriate. It may be that other professionals are required to be involved to assist and support you through the process and to ensure that your interests are promoted and protected.

Make your own decisions

The Collaborative approach will enable you and your partner to resolve your issues respectfully so that you can arrive at dignified solutions to your dispute with your partner and maintain a sound relationship with each other in the future, especially if long-term financial interests are involved. In the Collaborative Practice process, emphasis is placed on reaching an agreement, rather than having to ‘battle it out in Court’.

Commitment to the non-confrontational dispute resolution

In the Collaborative practice, you will be asked to sign a Participation Agreement so that you demonstrate your commitment to resolving your differences with your partner in a respectful manner, with full and frank disclosure of information and with a minimum of conflict. Open communication will build an environment of trust. This trust will help you, your partner, and both of your lawyers to work together in finding workable solutions to your dispute.

ALWAYS KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND KNOW WHERE YOU STAND

By consulting one of our accredited family law mackay specialists.

In Collaborative practice, you and your partner, and your lawyers will work together to share information and arrive at solutions through a series of meetings. Your lawyer will never negotiate deals without your active participation. A major benefit of Collaborative practice is that you and your partner can each contribute to the compromised agreements that you make together, instead of having to settle with a decision imposed upon you by the Court.

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Family lawyers Mackay and in particular Elise Foote have represented me for a number of years through my divorce and parenting plan process. Finalising these matters have at times being extremely difficult and trying. However Elise's knowledge in family law, support and empathy was unwavering. Her professionalism and compassion allowed me to remain focused on the importance of my goals and what is best for my children and our future. I can't thank Elise and Family Lawyers Mackay enough for...
Tanya Szepanowski
Tanya S.
WHEN LIFE HAPPENS a Great thanks to the team at Family Lawyers Mackay for assisting me when Life came to a sudden stop. They have not sugar coat the the process. "There is no such thing as a winner in a Family separation" , but brought it into perspective for me. Together we had a fair outcome, and fair is the cornerstone to rebuild one's life! One can not ask for more than that.
Tanya Szepanowski
Ellen G.
I have found everyone I have encountered at Family Lawyers Mackay very helpful. Ian Field whom I dealt with provided me with a comprehensive summary of the issues, including some I had not even considered before. And then, rather than embark on a long, hostile and expensive litigation, he brokered a negotiated resolution acceptable to both parties. The final result was very much more than what I had hoped for and the costs were significantly reduced based on his negotiations
Tanya Szepanowski
Eve D.
Initial consultation was professional and clear guidance about the process 👌 also very honest with costs estimates. Overall i found helpful.
Masud
Shahid Masud
Family lawyers Mackay and in particular Elise Foote have represented me for a number of years through my divorce and parenting plan process. Finalising these matters have at times being extremely difficult and trying. However Elise's knowledge in family law, support and empathy was unwavering. Her professionalism and compassion allowed me to remain focused on the importance of my goals and what is best for my children and our future. I can't thank Elise and Family Lawyers Mackay enough for...
Suzie McDermott
Tanya Szepanowski
Free 20 minute initial consultation. Recommended not to go ahead with a family matter. They were honest with costs upfront if I should proceed. Well done & Thank You
Suzie McDermott
Suzie McDermott

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