who enter this process ends up reconciling.  The process is also less costly, both financially and emotionally.

 If, at any time during these proceedings, an impasse is reached, and either of the parties decides to go to court and proceed in the conventional, adversarial manner, ALL of the professionals involved must withdraw, and the parties must begin the divorce proceedings again, with new attorneys.  All records and work product representative of the case to that point will be sealed, and none of the involved professionals may be called upon to testify or provide records or opinions regarding the case.  This helps to insure that everyone involved in this process is committed to its successful completion.  Once a settlement is reached, the parties submit it to the court as a Consent Judgment which becomes official with the Judge’s signature.

This exciting alternative to the destructive divorce process is available now.  A group of professionals from the legal, mental health, and financial fields was formed last year and has undergone months of specialized training in Collaborative Divorce.  The Collaborative Professionals Group of Louisiana, Inc. is in the process of getting the word out and educating the public to this enlightened approach to divorce.  If you or someone you know is in the unfortunate situation in which divorce is being considered, then Collaborative Divorce is an avenue that should be explored.