Collaborative Practice is relatively new to the Family Law scene, having started in 1989 by Minnesota attorney, Stu Webb. In 1999, the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) was formed to support and promote Collaborative Practice both in the US and abroad.
As with all new thought, it is taking time to grow. However, this inspiring, transformative way to handle family law issues is becoming more and more popular. It can be difficult to find consistently good info out there about it as CP is evolving and is practiced somewhat differently, depending on the region, with the common requirement of the agreement to not going to court remaining the same no matter what region of the country and world. For some basic info, the following are sights that I believe to represent Collaborative Practice effectively.
Minnesota Collaborative Law Institute (CLI) website: http://www.collaborativelaw.org
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) website: http://www.collaborativepractice.com/
Collaborative on This American Life
This American Life played again its Episode #339 in which a 20 year old was interviewed who was earlier interviewed on All Things Considered as an 8 year old. They followed it up with an interview with her as a 28 year old educator. It begins at about minute 34 of the program. She talks about the amazing job her mother did to protect her from the truth (of her father’s extramarital relationship) so that she could have a great relationship with her father.
You can find the audio on http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Archive.aspx by going to August 15, 2008.
At about minute 44 comes the interview with Barry Berkman of New York City about Collaborative Divorce.
Collaborative on ABC News
The video is available at http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5855885
The comments about Collaborative Practice were made by Peter Walzer the past president of the Southern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
Maria Alba-Fisch on interviewed by the Trinity Broadcasting Station
The video is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzY5hTVCq5E
Trinity Broadcasting is a Christian network in the Hudson Valley. Maria is a mental health professional and Coach in the Collaborative Practice.
Alec Baldwin on his divorce experience
Regardless of personal opinions about Alec Baldwin, as a man and a father, he shares the male perspective of his divorce experience. For a review of his book follow this link: http://www.divorce360.com/divorce-articles/child/custody/book-review-alec-baldwins-take-on-divorce.aspx?artid=1416
In a note from Alan Frisher, CDFA, and member of the Collaborative Association of Brevard in Melbourne, Florida, Alan says the following:
"I recently had the pleasure of viewing a 10 minute presentation by Alec Baldwin where he spoke about his new book. While he touches on Parental Alienation, his book is also a critique of our current Family Law system where 'children are the ultimate victims.' He goes on to say, 'The Family Law system is inefficient on its best day; Uncaring on its average day; and downright corrupt on its worst day.'
He continues to speak about how the system takes a person who was a very good, caring father while in the marriage, and just because that same father is now going through a divorce, is basically transformed in the courtroom as an unfit father. As a divorced Father of three wonderful children, I was personally touched by his words and actions in writing this book. I can relate to what he went through as I continue to go through much of the same torment. While I cannot save myself or my children from the devastation that has occurred in my life, I can try my best to help others with the knowledge and abilities I possess as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst specializing in Collaborative technique and practice. I truly believe that this is the only solution to a broken Family Law system. We must continue doing what we can to get the word out and make society demand that if divorce must occur, that Collaborative Divorce be the preferred method and litigation be the absolute last method of choice."
Channel 11 - Dallas News Clip
http://cbs11tv.com/video/?id=34524@ktvt.dayport.com
Janet Denton is a Collaborative attorney in the Dallas, Texas, area. This video clip gives an accurate description of the process.
"Nasty Divorces Can Mean Trouble for Businesses Too" - DallasNews.com
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/columnists/chall/stories/DN-Hall_05bus.ART0.State.Edition1.4a92718.html
Kevin Fuller is a Collaborative attorney, in the Dallas, Texas, area. This article illustrates how business can be impacted by a bitter divorce battle in the traditional litigation model.
"Collaborative Law Can Take Some of the Animosity Out of Divorce" - Statesman.com
http://www.statesman.com/life/content/life/stories/other/04/19/0419guide.html
Jennifer Tull and Carrie Helmcamp are Collaborative attorneys out of Austin, Texas. "Because it's less confrontational and encourages working together, collaborative law can help begin the post-divorce relationship in a productive way. "
"Collaborative Divorce" - RadioNetherlands, National Public Radio
http://www.radionetherlands.nl/thestatewerein/otherstates/tswi-090516-right-divorce
A divorced couple in Ohio shares their experience with Collaobrative Divorce.