Collaborative Divorce

As a divorce litigator for over 12 years, Cari believes strongly that there's a better way to resolve disputes involving families. The collaborative model is a tried and true method involving a team of professionals to help parties work through a divorce or separation without the threat of court. Doing so, forces participants to put their armor down and work side by side with a solutions based approach to help formulate the right agreement for your family. The collaborative model keeps the control in the hands of the party participants vs. the judge.

Because participants in a collaborative divorce agree that they will not go to court, the process is more amicable and less adversarial. It offers flexibility and the ability to move as quickly or slowly as the parties need. Each party in a collaborative divorce has their own attorney advocate - Cari is passionate about negotiating based on interests and solutions instead of focusing on demands and positions. Attorneys like Cari in the collaborative divorce setting are committed to help law an environment to help foster a healthy transition.


Collaborative Divorce Principles

The Collaborative Divorce is based on three main principles:

  1. The parties agree in writing with each other, and with their attorneys, that they will not to go to court.
  2. Both spouses commit to an honest and open exchange of documents and information.
  3. Each option for settlement takes into account the highest interests and goals of both spouses and their children.

Cari is proud to be a professional working in a model that is focused on the needs of the entire family during the transition with a goal of minimizing conflict. A smooth and amicable divorce process helps move the process along efficiently and effective while building a strong foundation for a positive post-divorce life.

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Trained Collaborative

Cari Rincker completed the 14.5 hour Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Training program through Roadmaps for Resolution. She too has already completed countless trainings in mediation through various organizations including the New York Peace Institute.

Other Professionals

Cari loves the team approach that the collaborative divorce process offers.  Collaborative teammates are selected to help match the family's unique needs.  Typically, but not always, financial neutrals can help gather and analyze the family's financials to help clients make informed decisions about equitable distribution, child support, spousal maintenance or other ancillary economic issues.  A divorce coach can be instrumental in helping parties navigate communication issues with the other party and to be better understood throughout the process while a mental health professional can over guidance and insight to mental health issues affecting the family's transition.  Perhaps a child specialist is used to help aid participants to create a parenting plan that best meets the needs of the child.  Mediation can also sometimes be used in a collaborative divorce model either with or without attorneys present.

There are also collaboratively trained real estate professionals, financial advisors, and other professional groups that can help aid the transitioning family.


What Issues are Discussed?

The collaborative model allows for participants to discuss all the issues that affect a divorcing or separating family such as the development of a parenting plan, division of assets, child support (including child add-on expenses), spousal maintenance, relocation issues, and nuptial agreement issues. This is simply a solutions-based team process to help navigate a myriad of family law issues.

How Do You Meet?

Collaborative meetings can be either in person or held on video chat such as Zoom, depending on the needs and desires of the parties.