How much does a Collaborative Divorce cost?

It is not possible to give a precise answer to this question, because every case is different, just as every family is different. However, there are a number of factors that can materially affect the cost of a collaborative case. Three major factors affecting cost are the following:

• The degree to which divorcing spouses are each intellectually and emotionally committed, prepared, and willing to work with the professional team to address the issues in the case and reach mutually agreeable solutions;
• The complexity of the financial circumstances of the divorcing spouses, including the types of assets and liabilities to be dealt with; and
• The difficulty of obtaining accurate and complete information and facts necessary to reach informed mutually acceptable outcomes on each issue in the case.

As a result of the intended benefits of collaboration, including reduced hostility, transparency, the avoidance of formal discovery, the avoidance of repeated court appearances, and the resources provided by the collaborative professional team, it is possible to manage the divorce process more cost effectively through collaboration than through adversarial litigation.

During the course of adversarial litigation, each divorcing spouse will likely end up employing multiple professional experts and advisors, in addition to their attorneys, to help them prosecute their case; and the legal procedures and discovery processes followed in high-conflict litigated cases typically consume considerable time and financial resources. The truth about adversarial litigation is that conflict can be very costly – financially, emotionally, and relationally. Collaborative Divorce seeks to make efficient use of the collaborative team from the outset, as needed, and in a cost-effective manner.