Collaborative Law Attorneys in Novi, MI

Oakland County Lawyers for Collaborative Divorce

Some people believe that a divorce is almost always a contentious series of proceedings between two people who can no longer stand to be near one another. Fortunately, the reality is that many couples are able to navigate the divorce process while keeping hostility and negative emotions mostly in check. For some couples, informal negotiations are successful while others may require more structure to reach an agreement without resorting to litigation. At Elkouri Heath PLC, our attorneys are trained in collaborative divorce law, a method of alternative dispute resolution that relies on a team of divorce professionals to help you and your spouse complete your divorce cooperatively and without going to trial.

Attorneys Susan Elkouri and Symantha Heath have been serving clients in southeast Michigan for more than 20 years. They, along with the rest of their team, understand that divorce does not need to be a drawn-out, traumatic affair filled with tension and acrimony. With nearly 50 years of family law experience and training as certified collaborative divorce attorneys, we are equipped to handle your case with skill and efficiency.

Understanding Collaborative Divorce in Livonia and Canton

During a collaborative divorce, both spouses commit to reaching a workable agreement regarding their divorce through negotiation and cooperation, guided by a team of professionals from a variety of fields. The exact makeup of your collaborative divorce team will depend on your specific situation but may include divorce coaches, child development specialists, mental health practitioners, financial planners, and others whose input could be utilized in negotiating a settlement. Each spouse must also enlist a separate collaborative divorce lawyer to ensure that the rights of each party are fully protected. If the collaborative process fails, the attorneys must withdraw from the case, and the spouses must find new counsel.

Benefits of Collaborative Divorce

In addition to the benefits of avoiding courtroom litigation, a collaborative divorce may provide several other advantages as well. A collaborative divorce can often be completed much faster than one requiring litigation, as the parties are not limited by crowded court schedules and may conduct their negotiation wherever and whenever works best for all involved.

Collaborative divorce is also less stressful and tends to result in more stable divorce and parenting agreements compared to a litigated divorce. The neutral professionals who comprise the collaborative team are able to offer assistance to both spouses so that the settlement fully addresses their concerns. Studies have found that divorced individuals are more likely to remain compliant with divorce and parenting orders that they helped create. A collaborative divorce, therefore, may have benefits that last for many years to come.

Call Us Today

If you are considering a divorce and would like to know more about the collaborative divorce process, contact our office. Call 248-344-9700 for a free consultation at Elkouri Heath PLC today. Located in Novi, MI, we are proud to represent clients in Livonia, Farmington Hills, Northville, Macomb, Canton, Livingston, Wayne County, Oakland County, and the rest of southeast Michigan.