Collaborative Divorce: Neutral Professionals

By Jennifer Black

Divorce is often an emotionally and financially challenging time.  The Collaborative Process offers a more respectful and supportive alternative to traditional negotiation or litigation.  It aims to help families move forward with dignity and care.  A key feature to the success of the Collaborative Process is the professional team approach including the use of neutral professionals. 

In a collaborative divorce process, neutral professionals do not advocate for either spouse.  Instead, they serve the family as a whole, offering unbiased expertise in their respective fields.  These neutral professionals work with both spouses to guide and support them throughout the process. 

The neutral Family Professional, plays a vital role in managing emotions, improving communication and developing parenting plans that prioritize the children’s well-being.  They often facilitate collaborative meetings and help ensure that emotional dynamics do not derail important discussions.  A central focus of the neutral Family Professional is helping parents create a parenting plan that provides stability and support for their children. 

The neutral Financial Professional, guides spouses in understanding their financial picture.  Financial matters can be complex and stressful, and this professional helps gather and organize the necessary financial information that is needed for informed decision making.  They explain financial concepts in plain language and explore options that provide long term financial security for both spouses.

Some Financial Professionals have specialized expertise.  For example, a Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) can assess the value of a business or determine income for support purposes.  In traditional litigation, each spouse might retain their own CBV, which can be costly and may even require a third CBV to resolve discrepancies.  In contrast, the Collaborative Process uses a single neutral CBV, who works with both spouses to provide a fair and cost-effective valuation. 

In the Collaborative Process, spouses are supported by a team that typically includes lawyers, a family professional and a financial professional.  These professionals work together to help the spouses reach a thoughtful and lasting agreement.  By integrating neutral professionals, the process emphasizes compassion, dignity, and a focus on the long term well being of both spouses and their children.