What to Expect in the First Collaborative Team Meeting

As a Family Law Client who chooses to proceed with your case by utilizing the Collaborative Process in Florida, you may be curious about what will happen in the first meeting. Remember, Collaborative Law is a voluntary process. Both you and your spouse will work with Collaboratively trained Family Law Attorneys who will prepare you for this meeting.

At the first meeting, you and your spouse will come together with your respective attorneys, a Financial Neutral and a Mental Health Neutral. You can anticipate that the Mental Health Neutral on your Collaborative Team will facilitate each meeting. Right away, he or she will explain the Collaborative Process and its purpose. Once an overview of Collaborative Law has been presented, the Mental Health Neutral will go over the necessary documents needed for your case to be resolved. Examples of such documents include a Collaborative Participation Agreement.

Our Collaboratively trained Orlando Family Law Attorneys at The Marks Law Firm, P.A. – Family Law & Divorce Attorneys believe the most important part of the meeting follows, which is goal setting. At this point, you and your spouse will each share what your goals are and what you would like to see come out of the Collaborative Process for your Family Law case. Each professional on your Collaborative Team wants to see the process succeed and will support you along the way.

Prior to the first Collaborative Team meeting, you should meet with your Family Law Attorney to discuss your specific goals and gain his or her insight. You are an important part of the Team and your trusted Collaboratively trained Family Law Attorney should have sound legal advice for you in order to make sure the Collaborative Process runs smoothly.

During the goal setting stage of the first Collaborative Team Meeting, it is imperative that both parties present their goals in a way that can be easily understood and agreed upon. Of course, the most common goals in many Collaborative cases involve protecting the minor children and ensuring their security and stability. By choosing the Collaborative Process, you are remaining focused on solutions and prioritizing peace and transparency throughout your case.

One specific goal might involve where the children will reside once your divorce has been finalized. Some Clients decide it’s best for the minor children to remain in the marital home where they can maintain familiarity (friendships, neighborhood activities, schooling, etc.) however, it is a common goal that the children spend as much time as possible with both parents. Another common goal could revolve around the children’s financial future.

Looking ahead to building a foundation of ongoing and positive communication amongst the co-parents may be a common goal as well. While your marriage may be ending, your commitment to the wellbeing of your children and the preservation of your family as you and your spouse move forward should not change.

While the goals mentioned above may be envisioned by both parties, in some Collaborative cases, Timesharing (also known as Child Custody) agreements may require more conversation and compromise from the co-parents. Ultimately, Timesharing schedules should reflect what is in the true best interest of the minor children, above the desires of either co-parent.

Another goal that may be brought up in the first Collaborative Team Meeting relates to spousal support. If you or your spouse has a financial need to receive alimony, and the other spouse has a financial ability to pay it, this should be expressed openly to the entire Collaborative Team. The Financial Neutral will help you navigate this part of the Collaborative Process.

Goal setting is considered the framework of the Collaborative Process and will allow both parties to move forward while collectively working towards what they would like to accomplish. However, if new goals arise, they may be shared at subsequent Collaborative Team Meetings.

Perhaps you can think of other goals that would come up during a Collaborative Team Meeting. If you are interested in learning more about this healthier approach to Family Law in Florida, please contact our office at (407) 872-3161 to speak with one of our experienced Orlando Family Law Attorneys today.

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