Vaughan Collaborative Family Lawyers

Collaborative Practice in family law is an option available to families to settle their issues without going to court. The parties maintain all decision-making power and work together with their family law lawyers to come to an agreement on all outstanding issues.

Both clients and lawyers are committed to arriving at a resolution of the issues in a non-adversarial mind frame. Clients and lawyers commit to each other in writing that they will not begin legal proceedings during negotiations and that both lawyers will withdraw from the case if one of the parties decides to go to court.

All participants agree to negotiate in good faith and to be forthcoming with all relevant information and financial disclosure.

At Bortolussi Family Law, two of our lawyers are trained in collaborative family law methods. Our founder Lorraine A. Bortolussi and associate Julie Zimmerman are both members of the York Region Collaborative Practice Group. They are each committed to helping clients find an amicable and effective resolution to any outstanding issues to resolve as part of a separation or divorce.

How Does Collaborative Family Law Work?

Collaborative family law encourages parties to reach workable settlements by building on areas of mutual agreement. Lawyers help clients structure a series of meetings and agendas for each meeting and retain the services of third-party experts such as financial professionals to inform negotiations when necessary. The existence of complex matters, such as the division of a family business, should never be a barrier to pursuing the collaborative resolution of a family law dispute.

The goal of these meetings is to openly exchange information, express needs, interests, and expectations in a forward-looking manner. Once all information has been gathered, the parties work toward a resolution of each of the issues, with the assistance and advice of their respective lawyers. Cooperative strategies instead of adversarial methods are used to ensure that the underlying needs and interests of clients are met in a way that maximizes the results for the entire family.

Why Use the Collaborative Family Law Process?

Separation, divorce, and other family law situations present emotions and challenges, which can be dealt with constructively instead of approaching the issues from a place of conflict. Through collaborative family law, the clients retain control of the process and all decisions with the benefit of having a legal advisor by their side.

The lawyer remains the ally of her client and solicitor-client privilege is maintained throughout the process.

The non-adversarial and cooperative attitude fostered by the process allows for a more peaceful and healthy beginning and the planning of a new family dynamic. Reducing tension and conflict is particularly essential for families with children, who must continue to interact as part of the co-parenting process.

Contact Bortolussi Family Law in Vaughan for Skilled Representation Throughout the Collaborative Family Law Process

At Bortolussi Family Law, our divorce lawyers are also experienced collaborative family law practitioners. We help clients resolve simple and complex family law disputes in an amicable way, and reduce the stress involved in a family dispute. We understand there is inherent stress when separating or divorcing, but we also know that certain approaches can make the process much more tolerable and productive. Our collaborative family law practitioners work to secure a successful result for each client while also maintaining a healthy and functional family dynamic that will carry forward post-separation or divorce.

From our office in Vaughan, we assist clients from across the Greater Toronto Area, extending out to Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Woodbridge, Maple, Kleinburg, Caledon, Concord, Vaughan, Bolton, Nobleton, Markham, and Etobicoke and all areas in between. To discuss your circumstances and learn about the options available to you, please reach out to us online or by phone at 416-987-3300.