The collaborative divorce process is one of the most respectful ways to separate. When the parties need legal representation to help guide them through their legal issues but do not want to litigate, posture, or fight, then the collaborative divorce is for them. A collaborative divorce describes a process where each party intentionally hires a trained collaborative lawyer. 

The goal of mediation is to assist the parties in reaching agreements that meet the needs of both parties without the financial and emotional cost of legal proceedings. The goal is guiding the parties to a personalized, respectful resolution that facilitates communication and minimizes conflict. Mediation also allows the parties to retain privacy and control throughout the course of the process. 

Negotiation is an art. It requires patience, critical thinking, and strategy. Negotiation can be summarized by three criteria:

1. It should produce a fair and practical agreement.
2. It should be efficient, both in time and cost.
3. It should do no harm to the relationship between the parties.

Litigation is often time consuming and expensive. A litigated case will often take 12 or more months to resolve, and this time frame is consistent with the time frames detailed in many of the local rules in Wake and surrounding counties. The average cost to litigate can range from $30,000 to $50,000. A typical retainer for an attorney to initially file a case may range from $5,000 to $10,000. Have comfort in knowing that less than 20% of the filed cases result in total litigation in which a judge makes all the marital decisions.