Atkinson Vinden Lawyers

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Atkinson Vinden now offers its family law clients a collaborative law approach in resolving their family law matters.  Collaborative law is an exciting adjunct to our family law practice.  Collaborative law evolved overseas in the early 1990s as a dignified and pro-active method for separating couples to resolve all of the issues arising upon the breakdown of their relationship without litigation.

The Collaborative law approach enables parties to adopt a more wholistic approach and allows individuals to have greater control of the outcome thereby reducing conflict at a time of considerable stress.  A collaborative approach requires that the parties work in a co-operative fashion together so as to identify the needs, not only of themselves but the other party and their children and to learn as much as they can about all of the issues to help them make the best choices that they can.

Consequently the collaborative approach may involve other experts, such as financial consultants who can advise both parties about the best ways assets can be divided.  A child psychologist may also help the parents identify what their child will need from each of them when they parent their child after separation.  Counsellors can also provide support for the emotional and psychological needs of the parties in working through the emotions that arise upon the breakdown of a relationship.

Given the nature of this approach, both parties need to be assessed as suitable and also need to be willing to engage in the collaborative process in good faith.  If you feel that the collaborative process may assist you in resolving your family law dispute then please contact Annabel Murray of the family law team at Atkinson Vinden for further information.