This is our "sister" website. You can access free divorce-related articles, tax information, child support calculators, and more. It is the Internet's best source for financial information before, during and after your divorce.
The CFLA is a group of St. Louis area attorneys, mental health professionals and financial specialists dedicated to the promotion and use of "collaborative divorce." In collaborative divorce both spouses have an attorney at all times to protect their interests, and other professionals are brought in as necessary, but all the professionals are contractually barred from going to court. The result is that the lawyers have absolutely no incentive to get you involved in a long, drawn out, expensive, and emotionally devastating trial.
The financial specialists and mental health professionals can perform some of the tasks your lawyer normally handles, but they usually do it better, and at a lower cost. For instance, mental health professionals are better trained to develop parenting plans than are lawyers. And financial professionals are often better suited to sort out the tax, cash flow and other aspects of child support, maintenance (alimony) and the property division. Naturally, your lawyer will review the work of the other professionals, and make sure all legal requirements are met. But the final result is a better, more cost effective settlement agreement than in a traditional litigated divorce.
What really makes collaborative divorce unique is that your lawyers and other professionals are 100% dedicated to helping you reach a settlement without going to court. So much so that they all sign a document to that effect, and agree that they will not even threaten to go to court, and will withdraw from the case if it should end up in court. Since 95% of divorce cases settle without going to court anyway, why not work toward that outcome from the start?
Collaborative divorce is not appropriate in all circumstances. Even if you and your spouse choose not to settle your case collaboratively, the attorneys in the CFLA can handle your case. They can do mediation, help you with a "kitchen table" divorce, or even represent you in court if that is what your case requires. And the mental health professionals are well trained in marriage counseling and individual therapy for adults and children. Most of the CFLA members work for different firms and are not affiliated with each other in any way, except that they all believe in the value of collaborative divorce, and therefore belong to this association.
The IACP is the international association for collaborative practioners. Their website has articles and resources to better explain the collaborative process.
This is a St. Louis area based site with information about divorce, and links to various professionals who specialize in helping people going through a divorce.
Other Links
The following websites offer articles and resources for those contemplating or experiencing divorce.
