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Free Guide to Hiring a Family Lawyer
Collaborative law is a voluntary, contract-based dispute resolution process most often used in family law matters such as divorce, parenting responsibility, child support, and property division. In a collaborative process each party hires a lawyer trained in collaborative practice. The lawyers and the parties commit to resolving the dispute cooperatively without going to court. If an agreement cannot be reached, the collaborative lawyers typically withdraw and the parties must retain new counsel for litigation.
In Greenwood Village, which is part of the Denver metropolitan area within Arapahoe County, collaborative law is an available alternative to traditional litigation. Many local attorneys, mental health professionals, and financial neutrals in the area are experienced with collaborative practice and with Colorado family law. Collaborative law can be particularly helpful when parties want a less adversarial process, want more control over outcomes, or need tailored solutions that a courtroom may not readily provide.
Even though collaborative law emphasizes cooperation, there are several common situations in which you should seek legal counsel trained in collaborative practice:
- Divorce or legal separation where you want to avoid courtroom conflict and tailor outcomes specific to your family.
- Parenting responsibility and parenting-time arrangements where the best interests of children require careful negotiation and documentation.
- Cases involving complex financial issues, such as business ownership, retirement accounts, stock options, real estate investments, or significant debt, where specialized legal and financial advice is essential.
- Situations involving spousal maintenance or alimony where legal guidance is needed to calculate, structure, and negotiate support.
- You want a confidential process with structured disclosure instead of public court filings.
- You prefer to include professionals such as financial neutrals, child specialists, or tax advisors in the negotiation process.
- There are communication challenges between the parties but both are willing to commit to a cooperative process. Note: Collaborative law is not appropriate where there is ongoing coercion, severe domestic violence, or credible safety concerns for a party or child. In those cases, immediate court intervention and protective orders may be necessary.
Understanding the local legal context is important when choosing collaborative law in Greenwood Village. Key points to keep in mind:
- Colorado family law framework: Family law matters in Greenwood Village are governed by Colorado law. Colorado statutes and court rules set the baseline legal standards for divorce, allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting time, child support, and division of marital property. Property division in Colorado follows equitable distribution principles, meaning courts divide marital assets in a manner that is fair, though not necessarily equal.
- Court encouragement of alternative dispute resolution: Colorado courts, including family courts in Arapahoe County, routinely encourage parties to consider alternative dispute resolution processes such as mediation and collaborative law. Judges often require or promote settlement efforts before trial.
- Financial disclosures and obligations: Family law procedures in Colorado frequently require full financial disclosure from both parties. Collaborative processes rely on voluntary, complete disclosure to reach informed agreements. If the collaborative process later moves to court, judges will expect accurate and thorough financial records.
- Parenting standards and child support: Colorado law prioritizes the best interests of the child when sorting out parenting responsibility and parenting time. Child support is calculated under state guidelines that consider parental income, health insurance costs, childcare, and other relevant factors. Collaborative agreements creating parenting plans and support arrangements should be consistent with Colorado law or be prepared to explain any deviations.
- Safety and protection orders: Colorado has legal mechanisms to protect individuals and children from domestic violence and stalking. Collaborative practice is not appropriate if there is an active pattern of coercive control, threats, or danger. In those circumstances, parties should consult criminal and family court remedies immediately.
- Filing and enforcement: While collaborative agreements are negotiated privately, most parties formalize resolutions by filing agreed orders or settlement agreements with the family court for approval and enforcement. A local attorney will know the filing practices for Arapahoe County and Greenwood Village-area courts.
Collaborative law is a voluntary negotiation process in which each party hires an attorney trained in collaborative practice. The attorneys and parties sign a participation agreement committing to resolve the dispute without going to court. The process may involve other neutral professionals such as financial specialists or child specialists to help reach a durable settlement.
In mediation a neutral mediator helps the parties negotiate and the mediator does not represent either party. In collaborative law each party has independent legal counsel who actively advises and advocates for that party within a cooperative framework. Litigation is adversarial and conducted in court; collaborative law seeks a negotiated settlement outside of court. If collaborative negotiations fail, parties typically must hire new counsel to litigate.
Agreements reached in the collaborative process are not legally binding until the parties execute a written settlement agreement and, if desired, submit it to the family court for approval and entry as a court order. Until that point, terms are contractual between the parties but not enforceable as court orders.
Each party typically pays their own collaborative attorney fees. The cost of other neutral professionals, such as financial neutrals, child specialists, or valuators, is usually shared by the parties according to terms they agree on. Fee structures vary, so discuss costs and retainer requirements with your collaborative attorney at the outset.
Collaborative participation agreements commonly include a withdrawal clause. If a party withdraws and the matter moves to court, the collaborative lawyers usually must withdraw from representing their clients in litigation to maintain the integrity of the process. The withdrawing party may then pursue litigation with new counsel.
There is no fixed timeline. The length depends on the complexity of financial issues, the number of issues to resolve, scheduling of joint meetings, and the parties work toward settlement. Simple matters can resolve in a few months; more complex cases, especially those requiring valuation of businesses or real estate, can take longer.
Collaborative meetings are generally private and not part of the public court record. However, confidentiality has limits. If parties go to court or if professionals are compelled to disclose information, that material may become public. Discuss confidentiality provisions with your attorney so you understand protections and exceptions.
Yes. If you are pursuing collaborative law in Greenwood Village you should hire an attorney licensed to practice law in Colorado who is familiar with Colorado family law and the practices of local courts. A local attorney will also be knowledgeable about Arapahoe County procedures and available collaborative resources in the Denver metro area.
Yes. Collaborative teams often include financial neutrals, forensic accountants, business valuators, and tax professionals to help structure settlements for high-asset cases and business interests. Including specialized neutrals can make collaborative law an effective option for complex financial situations.
Collaborative law is generally not appropriate when there is a pattern of domestic violence, ongoing coercion, or credible threats to safety. In those cases, the safety of victims and children is paramount and immediate court or protective measures may be necessary. Consult an attorney experienced in domestic violence and family court procedures right away to determine the safest path forward.
Below are types of resources and organizations that can provide useful information or referrals for collaborative law in Greenwood Village and Colorado:
- Colorado Bar Association - provides attorney referral services and resources on family law and alternative dispute resolution.
- Colorado Judicial Branch family law self-help resources - informational materials about divorce, parenting time, child support, and filing procedures.
- Arapahoe County court self-help centers and clerk offices - local procedural information and forms for filing agreements and orders with the family court.
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and national collaborative organizations - directories of collaborative-trained attorneys, neutrals, and best practice guidelines.
- Local collaborative practice groups and private attorney practices in the Denver metro area - many Greenwood Village and nearby attorneys advertise collaborative practice training and can provide consultations.
- Community legal aid and pro bono programs - for low-income individuals who may qualify for free or reduced-cost legal help in family law matters. Check eligibility and availability locally.
If you are considering collaborative law in Greenwood Village, here are practical steps to move forward:
- Schedule an initial consultation with a Colorado-licensed family law attorney who has collaborative law training. Ask about their experience with collaborative cases and local Arapahoe County courts.
- Prepare and bring financial documents and any relevant records to the consultation: pay stubs, tax returns, bank and retirement account statements, mortgage and debt information, business financials, and any court orders in place.
- Discuss safety concerns up front. If you have any history of domestic violence or fear for your safety, tell the attorney immediately so they can advise whether collaborative practice is appropriate.
- Ask about the collaborative participation agreement, fee structure, and who pays for any neutral experts. Get clarity on what happens if the process does not result in settlement.
- If you decide to proceed, sign a collaborative participation agreement and consider whether to include neutral professionals such as a financial neutral or child specialist. Agree on a process and schedule for meetings.
- Attend joint sessions with an open but prepared mindset, supported by your collaborative attorney. Keep documentation and proposed solutions ready for negotiation.
- If you reach an agreement, have the terms drafted into a written settlement agreement and, if appropriate, submit agreed orders to the family court in Arapahoe County for approval and enforcement.
- If collaborative negotiations break down, be prepared to retain new counsel for litigation if you want to continue the dispute in court. Ask your collaborative attorney at the outset about expectations and timelines for this contingency.
Choosing collaborative law is a significant decision. With the right local attorney and a well-structured team, it can offer a more private, cooperative, and tailored path to resolving family law disputes in Greenwood Village. Take time to research attorneys, ask thoughtful questions, and prioritize both legal advice and personal safety.
