How it Works
A Step-by Step Approach to Resolving Divorce Outside of Court
Collaborative Divorce is a structured, voluntary process that helps couples resolve divorce and other family law matters without going to court. Instead of preparing for litigation, you and your spouse work with a team of specially trained professionals to reach practical, long-lasting agreements through respectful discussion and problem-solving.
The CLI Minnesota connects families with experienced Collaborative Divorce professionals who guide clients through every stage of the process while addressing legal, financial, parenting, and emotional concerns.
Watch the video below to learn how Collaborative Divorce works and why many Minnesota families choose this approach instead of traditional litigation.
The Collaborative Divorce Process
Every family’s situation is unique, but most Collaborative Divorce cases follow a similar path.
1. Choose Collaborative Divorce
Both spouses voluntarily agree to resolve their family law matter outside of court. Each person hires a Collaborative Divorce Attorney who is specially trained in negotiation, communication, and collaborative problem-solving. Because participation is voluntary, everyone enters the process with a shared commitment to finding solutions instead of preparing for trial.
2. Sign the Participation Agreement
At the beginning of the process, both clients and their attorneys sign a Participation Agreement. This agreement commits everyone to resolving the case outside of court through open communication, transparency, and respectful negotiation. If the Collaborative Divorce process ends without a settlement, the Collaborative Attorneys withdraw from the case, and each party may retain litigation counsel if court becomes necessary. This keeps the focus on reaching mutually beneficial solutions rather than building a courtroom strategy.
3. Build Your Collaborative Divorce Team
Every Collaborative Divorce team is customized to meet your family’s specific needs.
Your team may include:
- Two Collaborative Divorce Attorneys—one representing each spouse.
- A neutral Financial Professional to assist with assets, budgets, taxes, retirement accounts, business valuations, or support calculations.
- A Child/Family Specialist who keeps children’s developmental needs at the center of decision-making.
- A Divorce Coach who helps improve communication and manage conflict.
- A Mediator or other neutral professional when additional expertise is beneficial.
Some families only need their attorneys, while others benefit from a larger team of professionals. The goal is to provide the right level of support without adding unnecessary complexity.
4. Work Together in Joint Meetings
Rather than appearing before a judge, everyone meets together to discuss the issues that need to be resolved.
These meetings focus on productive conversations about topics such as:
- Parenting Plans
- Property division
- Financial support
- Retirement assets
- Business interests
- Future communication and co-parenting
Everyone participates in good faith, shares relevant information openly, and works toward practical solutions that meet the needs of the entire family.
5. Reach Lasting Agreements
As decisions are made, your Collaborative Divorce team prepares the legal documents necessary to finalize your agreements. Because the solutions are created by the people most affected—not ordered by a judge—they are often more practical, personalized, and sustainable for the future. Once agreements are complete, they are submitted to the court for approval as part of an uncontested legal proceeding.
Why Families Choose Collaborative Divorce
Collaborative Divorce is often a good fit for people who want to:
- Avoid courtroom litigation whenever possible
- Maintain privacy throughout the divorce process
- Preserve healthy co-parenting relationships
- Reduce unnecessary conflict
- Make informed financial decisions
- Protect their children’s well-being
- Create customized agreements instead of relying on court orders
Many couples also appreciate having access to professionals with expertise in finances, child development, communication, and conflict resolution, allowing them to address the full range of issues that arise during divorce.
Is Collaborative Divorce Right for You?
Collaborative Divorce works best for individuals who are willing to communicate honestly, exchange information openly, and focus on solving problems instead of winning arguments. It is especially valuable for parents, business owners, and families who expect to maintain ongoing relationships after the divorce is complete. By working together with experienced Minnesota Collaborative Divorce professionals, many families are able to reduce conflict, protect important relationships, and build agreements that support their future with greater confidence.
What Clients Say About the Collaborative Process
My lawyer and Coach were phenomenal – we worked as a team and met and communicated regularly regarding my goals and best interests, plus inspired and supported me as a valued person. I highly recommend the collaborative process.
[The Collaborative divorce process] provided a forum for my partner and I to effectively communicate and understand the other’s emotions. In addition, having two professionals on ‘my team’ gave me the ability to think through my choices when away from the table.
I believe without the collaborative process I would not have been able to get all that I did…I liked having my concerns (esp. financial concerns) addressed by the team as they were able to make him aware of what was fair to all parties involved. The ones that have most benefited from the collaborative process [have] been my children. Our parenting plan covered more than just the standard issues.
The financial professional was able to articulate more clearly the options of the settlement in order to keep things moving along. The mental health professional was able to keep the proceedings calm and provide a voice of reason.
I found the process valuable because it kept us focused on finding outcomes that met our goals for our children and our financial security. And unlike most people we know, our divorce process preserved our friendship rather than driving us further apart.
The benefit [of the Collaborative process] is that it is less costly, faster, and definitely more fair in that you have the professional support (financially, legally and mental health-wise) not provided in mediation. I felt my needs and concerns were heard and fought for, and that I came out of the process feeling more whole and positive than a typical adversarial divorce would have been.