Collaborative divorce
Collaborative divorce is suitable for partners who are separating and who wish to arrange it properly in a respectful manner under expert supervision – for each other and any children they have. The aim is to achieve agreements that are clear and future-proof. This is also possible for partners who are not married.
A team of professionals will be put together who will supervise your separation or divorce. The team will be made up of lawyers, a coach (psychologist), financial expert, and a child coach (if applicable). Both partners meet with the team to exchange information and to discuss any problem areas, needs, and expectations. Both partners will be expected to be reasonable and transparent.
Throughout, the professionals in the team will be aiming to find solutions. This includes any difficult areas where you and your partner cannot find agreement. Experience shows that the chances of lengthy court proceedings are very slight in such cases. Legal proceedings are expensive, time-consuming, and regularly lead to a major breakdown in trust.
Collaborative divorce versus mediation
With mediation, you and your partner have the same mediator. In the case of collaborative divorce, each partner has their own lawyer. The lawyer is there to represent your interests, but without ‘competing’ against the other partner. Both parties are equal. A coach / psychologist assists with the emotional aspect of the separation process and structures the meetings. The coach will intervene if necessary to ensure that discussions remain at a reasonable level.
To ensure that the financial aspects are properly settled, a financial expert usually forms part of the team. A children’s coach will be present too, if necessary, so that all the expertise is brought together.
About family law
Care to know more?
Family and inheritance law are sensitive subjects that often involve strong emotions. Matters that once seemed routine can take on a new significance as a result of all kinds of events, causing a breakdown in communications and thrusting the parties involved into far-reaching and invasive legal proceedings. SmeetsGijbels advises its clients on what route to take. We do so with empathy and support, adding our specialist legal knowledge as necessary.
Care to know more? Our lawyers and mediators are ready to help you. Obviously, we guarantee complete confidentiality.
Family law
mediators
Find out more about our family law mediators in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. They can advise you on what decisions to take.
