Chicago Collaborative Divorce Lawyer
Get The Right Divorce Decree With Illinois Collaborative Divorce
Not all divorces are bitter tug-of-wars. When both spouses realize the marriage is done, they can work through the practical issues of ending the marriage, like dividing property, determining who is responsible for which debts, and arranging a child custody and support scheme. A collaborative divorce may be ideal if your split is not acrimonious and you and your spouse wish to save money and avoid court. With the help of our Chicago, IL, collaborative divorce lawyer, you can ensure that you secure a divorce decree that meets your needs and provides the means for you to have a brighter future post-divorce.
At Merel Family Law, we support our clients’ rights—your rights—in the divorce; no one else’s. Our attorneys are trained in negotiation and mediation, and we strive to find an acceptable solution without going to court. Collaborative divorce, with its emphasis on compromise and preserving cordial relationships, can be ideal for spouses who share children and must preserve a functional co-parenting relationship. We offer a complimentary initial consultation, so please contact us today to get started.
How Can A Chicago Collaborative Divorce Lawyer Help Me?
A collaborative divorce is a commitment between each spouse and their respective divorce attorneys to negotiate a divorce settlement on their own and not take the disputed matters to court. When couples can’t resolve matters between themselves, a family law judge rules on the matter, and each side must prepare an argument and counter-argument. This takes a lot of time and money. Avoiding court can finalize the divorce faster, save you money, and leave you with less hard feelings if you must maintain a relationship with your child’s other parent.
As professional negotiators and mediators, we can provide guidance for disputed issues, helping you find creative solutions to everything from who gets the house to who gets the hamster. We focus on what matters most to you in negotiations and strive to give you the best settlement possible so you can achieve your post-divorce dreams.
What To Expect In An Illinois Collaborative Divorce
Collaborative divorces have a few specific legal stipulations. If you or your spouse fail to comply, then you’ll end up in court, and your divorce settlement may be determined by a judge. After that, you’ll have no say in the matter and must legally comply with the judge’s decision.
- Everyone involved, both the clients and legal professionals, commits to respectful communication and honest negotiations
- Both partners share relevant documents and financial details, including income, assets, and investments
- Each side promptly provides the requested information to the other party’s attorney
- The lawyers are bound by agreement to only support a collaborative process and cannot later represent their client in court against the other spouse
- You, your attorney, your spouse, and their lawyer meet regularly to work through the issues together
In a collaborative divorce, you have more freedom to brainstorm options, negotiate compromises, and think creatively about what is best for your unique situation..
Our clients choose collaborative divorce for many reasons, from saving time or money to wanting to maintain a friendly relationship with the other parent so their child has a more stable post-divorce life. At Merel Family Law, we can help protect your rights in the divorce process and ensure that your settlement is favorable. Please contact us today for a consultation.
Reasons High Net Worth Couples Choose Collaborative Divorce
At Merel Family Law, we work with clients from all backgrounds, including many with substantial financial assets. There are many mistakes high-net-worth individuals can avoid making when it comes to marriage. In the unfortunate event a marriage involving significant wealth and assets ends, a collaborative divorce can offer a practical and efficient way to address separation without the delays, costs, and tensions that often come with litigation.A Chicago, IL collaborative divorce lawyer can help guide both parties through a structured process that protects privacy, prioritizes problem-solving, and reduces unnecessary public conflict.
● Greater Privacy During The Divorce Process
Public court hearings can expose sensitive financial details, business records, and family matters. Collaborative divorce is handled in a private setting, allowing both spouses to maintain discretion around personal and financial information.
● More Control Over The Outcome
When high net worth couples choose collaboration, they retain greater influence over decisions like property division, investment management, and support agreements. This process avoids the uncertainty of court-imposed outcomes.
● Reduced Financial And Emotional Cost
Traditional divorce litigation often becomes lengthy and expensive, especially when multiple properties, business interests, or investment accounts are involved. Working with a Chicago collaborative divorce lawyer can streamline the process and lower financial strain.
● Support From Financial Professionals
Collaborative divorce allows both parties to bring in neutral financial experts. These professionals help assess the true value of complex assets such as stock portfolios, retirement plans, and closely held businesses without adversarial tactics.
● Custom Agreements That Address Unique Needs
High net worth individuals often have non-standard assets like trusts, intellectual property, or international accounts. The collaborative process offers more room to build creative and tailored solutions than traditional court proceedings allow.
● Minimized Impact On Children And Family Life
The cooperative tone of collaborative divorce can lead to better communication and reduced conflict, which benefits children and extended family members. The process encourages long-term co-parenting and stable family transitions.
● Preservation Of Business Interests
For business owners, litigation may threaten the continuity or value of a company. Collaborative divorce helps keep business operations stable by reducing legal distractions and minimizing public exposure of corporate records.
● Faster Resolution Compared To Traditional Litigation
Collaborative divorce often concludes more quickly than court cases, which can drag on for months or years. By working with a Chicago collaborative divorce lawyer, couples can set timelines that match their priorities.
● Mutual Respect And Cooperation Are Emphasized
The structure of the process promotes respectful communication, which can be especially important in high net worth divorces where both parties may need to remain connected through shared assets, children, or business relationships.
● Reduced Risk Of Future Legal Conflict
Because collaborative divorce focuses on resolution rather than winning, final agreements tend to be more durable. This lowers the likelihood of returning to court for disputes over previously settled issues.
A Smarter Path Forward For Complex Divorces
High net worth couples often have more to protect—and more to lose—especially when divorce turns into a public, drawn-out dispute. Collaborative divorce offers a practical, respectful, and strategic alternative. If you’re considering this option, working with a Chicago collaborative divorce lawyer can help you move forward with clarity and control. Our firm was established in Chicago in 2009 and our lawyers have over 221 years of combined experience helping Illinoisans with their family law needs. We are an award-winning, nationally and locally recognized law firm with 100s of five-star Google reviews. Contact us at Merel Family Law to schedule a time to discuss your goals and determine whether collaborative divorce is the right approach for your circumstances.
Chicago Collaborative Divorce FAQs
Even under the most amicable circumstances, divorce can be tough. One way to make the process more smooth and streamlined is to consider what the legal field calls collaborative divorce. Merel Family Law has been helping people with divorces of all kinds and the full array of family law needs since 2009. If you would like to learn more about collaborative divorce or have questions about other family law issues, reach out to our Chicago, IL collaborative divorce lawyer.
What Is Collaborative Divorce And How Does It Work?
Collaborative divorce is a voluntary, non-adversarial process where both spouses work together—with the support of trained collaborative attorneys—to reach agreements outside of court. Each party hires their own attorney, and the team may also include neutral professionals like financial advisors or mental health coaches. Everyone commits to resolving issues without litigation. If either party leaves the process to go to court, the collaborative attorneys must withdraw, and litigation attorneys take over. This structure encourages cooperation and problem-solving.
Can Collaborative Divorce Be Used If We Have Kids?
Yes, collaborative divorce is often an excellent option for couples with children. The process promotes open communication and focuses on creating parenting plans that work for the entire family. Because the process is less combative than traditional litigation, it tends to reduce stress for children and helps parents lay the foundation for healthier long-term co-parenting. Neutral child specialists may be brought in to support the family and help ensure that the children’s needs remain central to the decision-making process.
What Are The 3 C’s Of Divorce?
The “3 C’s” of divorce often refer to communication, cooperation, and compromise. These principles are especially important in collaborative divorce, where both parties agree to work through issues respectfully and constructively. Strong communication helps both spouses feel heard, cooperation fosters mutual respect, and compromise leads to practical solutions that benefit both parties. These values are what make collaborative divorce a constructive and often more peaceful alternative to court-based divorce proceedings.
What Are The Benefits Of Collaborative Divorce Over Mediation Or Court?
Collaborative divorce gives both parties more control over the outcome than court proceedings, and unlike mediation, each person still has their own legal representation throughout the process. It tends to be less stressful and more private than going to court, and it often costs less in the long run. Additionally, the structured team approach allows for more support—financial, emotional, and legal—tailored to the couple’s needs. For many families, it’s a more respectful way to move forward without burning bridges.
What Is The Downside Of Collaborative Divorce?
The main drawback of collaborative divorce is that if the process fails and either party decides to go to court, your Chicago collaborative divorce lawyer, as well as your ex’s lawyer, must withdraw from the case. This can add time and cost because new legal teams must be hired. Additionally, it may not be suitable for cases involving domestic violence, coercion, or high levels of conflict where open communication and cooperation are unlikely. It’s important to assess whether both parties are truly willing to work together before starting.
Why It Pays To Work With The Right Team
If you are looking for a Chicago collaborative divorce lawyer who comes with an award winning, nationally and locally recognized law firm with 100s of five-star Google reviews to back them up, reach out to Merel Family Law today. Our team is committed to helping clients move through divorce in a way that supports long-term family health, financial stability, and personal peace of mind. We’re here to listen, guide, and support you every step of the way.
