Collaboration ultimately cuts time and costs in a divorce

The practice of collaborative family law – is saving couples time and often money when it’s most needed says Liz Bottrill a family lawyer at SAS Daniels LLP.

Successfully negotiated collaborative agreements with couples can now be fast tracked through the courts and dealt with through the urgent, “without notice” applications list – meaning that the process is speeded up and the costs potentially reduced.

“Collaborative law is a hugely effective, productive and amicable way of allowing a couple to divorce without troubling the courts or piling even more stress on top of difficult situation,” said Liz, a family lawyer for 18 years.

“During tough economic times, when couples consider delaying things due to costs, it can be a help to them to consider collaborative law as a way forward.

“It can be the perfect option for couples who can discuss things reasonably with their spouse, and whose aim is to achieve a divorce and financial settlement with the minimum of anguish in a civilised and constructive way. It allows a couple and their lawyers to tailormake a package that perfectly suits the needs of the particular family – something not achievable through the court process which has a highly prescriptive approach.’

“Collaborative law is all about keeping it simple and friendly – usually each party and their respective solicitors in a meeting discussing and agreeing a timeline and settlement.

“For the not-so-affluent it means potentially significant cost-savings, for those who have been married a long time and accrued assets it means simplicity and containment of cost, and for celebrities or those with a high profile it means publicity can be easily managed or at best completely eliminated.

SAS Daniels LLP solicitors has offices in Stockport, Macclesfield, Chester, Congleton and Bramhall

For more information contact Liz Bottrill