Authors of Navigating Emotional Currents in Collaborative Divorce: A Guide to Enlightened Team Practice Questions posed by Kevin R. Scudder, Collaborative Attorney, Seattle, WA Kate and Lisa: You wrote your book Navigating Emotional Currents in Collaborative Divorce in 2010. The book has been instrumental to me and other Collaborative Practitioners. I believe that your book is a must-read for anyone, Coach, Child Specialist, Financial or Lawyer, who wants to work in Collaborative Law. I said as much in the review of your book posted in the World of Collaborative Practice at https://theworldofcollaborativepractice.com/?p=1626  and suggested...

Productive dialogue is essential in the Collaborative Practice approach to Divorce.  That requires both self awareness AND genuine empathy for the other person… whether colleague, client or soon-to-be-ex.  I spent some time with Cat Zavis talking about how we can each make that possible during Divorce. Cat Zavis has upcoming trainings for collaborative professionals, mediators, and parents (among others) to help them navigate conflict (both inner and outer) with greater skill and success: Cat is offering a FREE teleclass for divorced or divorcing Co-Parents  on Monday, February 10th, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Pacific Time.  This FREE...

Ms. Gladel gives an overview of the history of Collaborative Practice in France, from its origins in the work of two Harvard Law professors to the application in the French system.  She notes that the traditional system can be fraught with delays that ultimately violate the petitioners human rights and that the Collaborative method is growing because of its ability to work with the parties more efficiently without the restrictions of the court docket.  The goals, advantages and processes are clearly defined and illustrated with charts and diagrams for clarity.  Collaborative is also compared to other ADR methods to demonstrate the...

Many times people feel frustrated when they meet with an attorney about their divorce.  You have had the courage to make the appointment.  You are overwhelmed with questions and needs.  Your marriage is falling apart and this lawyer does not seem to get it.  She/he is asking you all kinds of questions yet this lawyer seems to be either unable or simply unwilling to answer your simplest questions!  How long will this take?  How much will it cost?  What will I end up with?  What do you mean “it depends”; I thought you were an ‘expert’?!?! The basic source of the frustration you feel is that you and the attorney are...

In September of 2013, the Nelsons marriage was dissolved.  They had made a choice from the start that they wanted to avoid conflict, argument, acrimony.  So they used the Collaborative Practice process to reach the decisions they needed in order to end their marriage. They very generously agreed to chat about their difficult but positive experience and share their encouragement that other couples use the process that served them well. With much thanks to Pamela and Tyler Nelson, and to their attorneys Joryn Jenkins and Adam B. Cordover, here is our chat: Note for professionals: Adam and Joryn are very involved in the Collaborative Divorce...

Our roots give context to the work we do as Collaborative practitioners.  Our ability to work in teams, to assist our clients, and to grow as professionals is in large part influenced by our roots. This is the third installment of a three-part report of my recent visit to my hometown of Omaha, NE.  The first installment, Going Home:  The Little Things, discussed the little things essential to quality Collaborative Practice.  The second installment, Going Home: Inter-Practice Group Relations, focused on what can be learned from relations “between” practice groups and that it can be missed if our focus is entirely on the work we do “within”...