The Role of your Team Members
Building Your Collaborative Practice Team
Your lawyer or coach will talk to you about the team. The team members are usually all in place at the beginning of the process – the professionals will help arrange this. The approach is flexible and tailored to the needs and wishes of you and your family. In Manitoba, we are fortunate to have this organization of highly skilled professionals who are trained and experienced in Collaborative family law. We are dedicated professionals who are committed to offering you an out of court approach that we believe will allow you to reduce conflict in your family.
Lawyers
Lawyers are trained in collaborative family law and some of our members also have extra training in mediation and conflict resolution. We believe in keeping families out of court whenever possible. The lawyers will provide you with legal information about the laws that apply to your situation, like parenting, child support, division of property and debts, spousal support. Your lawyer will provide you with individual legal advice to help you make decisions. The lawyers help you gather financial information so each party has all of the information they need to make decisions. The lawyers draft legal documents, including a Separation Agreement and divorce documents.
Financial Specialists
Financial Specialists – Financial Specialists are Certified Financial Planners with training in Collaborative Practice and conflict resolution. They also have training in financial issues related to separation and divorce. The financial specialist works with both parties and is a neutral person to help you understand and clarify your financial situation. The financial specialist helps you and your partner choose the best financial outcome for your family.
Parenting Coaches
Coaches are licensed and/or registered psychologists and social workers whose primary area of practices is in family relationships and who are training in mediation, conflict resolution and Collaborative Practice. Coaches do not provide counselling services in this process. Collaborative practitioners recognize that strong emotions experienced during separation and/or divorce often get in the way of effective communication. The coaches have the skills to help you sort through these emotions and help you communicate in an effective way. If you have children, they will also help you create a parenting plan. A coach works to help manage conflict between partners. This work is helpful to allow you to resolve the legal issues and develop an effective co-parenting relationship for the future. You may each have your own coach, or there may be one coach. Whether there is one or two coaches they work in collaboration with the team.
Child Specialists
Child specialists are licensed and/or registered psychologists and social workers with training in child development as well as having expertise related to the concerns of children during separation and/or divorce. The child specialist meets with the child(ren) to bring their voice to the process. The child specialist provides a safe environment for the child(ren) to express their needs and feelings. The child specialist works to ensure that the needs of the child(ren) are considered in the process.
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You will have a lawyer that is on your side and advocating for you. Even though you choose not to go to court you will have your own representative helping you make choices.
Your guide to understanding the complexities of your financial situation and ensuring the best financial outcome.
Helps you with communicating with your former partner. Where there are children helps you create a parenting plan.
A person with special training to work with children. Helps identify the child’s needs.