• Sandra Eugster, Ph.D. | 440 Science Drive, Suite 400, Madison, WIhttps://www.madisondivorcemediation.com/

    Sandra Eugster, Ph.D.

    Madison Divorce Mediation, LLC, 440 Science Dr., Suite 400, Madison, WI 53711

    In our interdisciplinary mediation process, we support and guide families from filing the initial action through to the final hearing. Our team always includes an attorney neutral, a financial neutral, and a mental health neutral. We appeal to people's desire to be their best selves, even when in conflict. We guide parties to work together until they reach agreements about children, property and income division in a civilized and human manner, protecting the kids from being harmed by contentious litigation.  Our clients leave with self respect intact, taking comfort in the fact that the process was completed in the best manner possible.

    Contact us at 608-335-8286 or visit us online at www.madisondivorcemediation.com 

  • Jill Klotz Flitter, Ph.D., S.C. | 1619 Monroe Street | Madison WI 53711Collaborative Divorce Professional and Mediator

    Jill Klotz Flitter, Ph.D.

    Jill Klotz Flitter, PhD has been a licensed clinical psychologist for over 20 years, working in both academic and clinical settings in Madison since 2005. In addition to being a psychotherapist, Dr. Klotz Flitter helps families and couples navigate the challenges of divorce through her roles as divorce coach, child specialist, mediator, parent coordinator, and co-parent counselor. Aiming to minimize the potential negative impact of divorce on children and to foster healthy relationships among family members, she helps families of diverse constellations and ages. Dr. Klotz Flitter is a board member of the Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin and a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.

    Integral Psychology Center | 608-255-9330, Ext. 104 | integralpsychology.com

  • Horizons Law Group, LLC | 611 N. Barker Road, Suite 209 | Brookfield WI 53045Attorney Services & Creative Legal Solutions

    Michelle Fitzgerald, JD

    Michelle Fitzgerald, JD - Horizons Law Group
    Our team of experienced attorneys helps explain your legal options and available alternatives so you can make an informed decision on how to proceed effectively.

    Contact us at 262-432-3600. Visit our website at www.horizonslaw.com

  • Koritzinsky & Karls, LLC | 414 D’Onofrio Drive, #300 | Madison WI 53719Contact Nanette at 608-833-7799 

    Nanette Karls, JD

    KORITZINSKY & KARLS, LLC
    Nanette's practice focuses in the areas of Family Law, Residential Real Estate, and Estate Planning. Nanette graduated with Honors from the University of Wisconsin Madison in 1988, and Cum Laude from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1991. She is a member of the Dane County Bar Association, and the State Bar of Wisconsin and served on the Board of Directors for the Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin, Inc.

    Contact Nanette at 608-833-7799.

    Visit Koritzinsky & Karls, LLC online at koritzinskykarls.com

  • Daniel Smith, CDFA | W175 N11081 Stonewood Drive, STE 207 | Germantown WI 53022We Bring Clarity & Focus to Achieve Your Financial Vision

    Daniel K. Smith, CDFA

    Daniel K. Smith, CDFA
    Twenty Twenty Wealth & Advisory Partners

    Our Mission is simple, we provide focused guidance to help you achieve your vision for the future. We take complicated financial matters and make them clear and easy to understand.

    Contact us at 262-373-6080

  • Robert M. Arthur, JD | Arthur Law Office LLC | Milwaukee & Appleton414-501-2370 Extension 1

    Robert Arthur, JD

    ARTHUR LAW OFFICE, LLC
    Robert McMillan Arthur, JD is a collaborative attorney and mediator practicing in the Metro Milwaukee area and the Fox Valley. His family law practice is centered around Collaborative Family Law, using his experience and training to empower and inform clients, advocate for their interests, and guide them in difficult problem solving.

    Contact him at (414) 501-2370 extension 1

A Brief Overview of Collaborative Divorce

Collaborative divorce is a process where you and your spouse negotiate an acceptable agreement with assistance from specially trained professionals. You  each hire a collaborative attorney who advises and assists you in negotiating a settlement agreement. You meet separately with your own attorney and the four of you meet together on a regular basis. A collaborative divorce also involves other professionals, such as child custody specialist or accountants as required by your unique circumstances.

Both spouses and their attorneys sign an agreement that requires the attorneys to withdraw from the case if a settlement is not reached and the case goes to court. Collaborative divorce attorneys will not represent you if you end up in divorce court, nor will the other team members with who you have been working.

Your agreement will eventually be presented by you to a family court judge so he/she can sign the agreement. Once an agreement is reached on all issues, the legal part of the divorce is a simple, uncontested procedure that doesn’t require a trial or litigious hearings on points of evidence and pretrial maneuvers such as interrogatories and disclosure.

Basic Steps in the Collaborative Process

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Step 1: Contact a Collaborative Professional

Most couples initiate the process through a discussion with a professional that works as a team member in Collaborative practice, usually an attorney or mental health professional. As part of this step each of you will select an attorney. Often Collaborative attorneys will meet with you at no or very low cost in order to discuss the process with you and explain the basic principles which guide the process.

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Step 2: You and Your Team hold the Initial Collaborative Meeting

Once both you and your spouse have retained Collaboratively-trained attorneys, the first Collaborative Meeting will be scheduled at a convenient time for everyone. At that first meeting, you will sign a “Collaborative Law Participation Agreement.” This Agreement will confirm that you agree you are not going to court, and your divorce can proceed at a pace that’s more comfortable for you both.

You and your spouse commit to communicating fully, frankly and respectfully; to participate with integrity; and to negotiate in good faith. Your attorneys will discuss all aspects of the process and your rights and obligations during the negotiations.

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Step 3: You and Your Team Work To Gather Needed Information

You, your spouse, and your team will get together for settlement conferences, instead of court appearances, and your case will be customized for your unique circumstances. Lots of communication will happen via phone calls and emails, as opposed to the exchange of formal letters that are often confrontational and oppositional in the litigation process. This type of informal communication can save you money. The time this step takes will depend greatly upon you, your spouse, and your particular situation. This step often uses what are commonly referred to as "Four Way" sessions, as you, your spouse and your attorneys make up the team. Often each team member will have specific tasks to complete; i.e. each of you may be asked to gather information of a financial nature while the other works on other information needed for the four way discussions.

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Step 4: You and Your Team Work Through Options and Future Considerations

Through a series of meetings and conferences, the team works with you to identify your shared interests, individual needs, ideas and attitudes about everything from child care to educational desires, employment options and the division of assets and liabilities. These sessions also bring about options and ideas for forming the eventual agreement. As this stage progresses you negotiate and reach a consensus with your spouse/partner as to the specific aspects of the divorce.

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Step 5: You and Your Team Draft an Agreement and Obtain Court Approval

Once the negotiations are complete and everyone accepts all the terms, a Marital Settlement Agreement is drafted. Once this Agreement is signed by both of you, it is presented to the Court for approval. A hearing is scheduled and in nearly all Collaborative cases the hearing takes only a few minutes. Once approved by the judge the divorce decree is granted.

While is may seem like a straight-forward process, it is not necessarily rapid, or easy. Every family situation is different. A couple with no children and few assets, debts, or real estate for example is quite different from a couple with significant assets, a family business, or second or vacation homes. All family situations can be successfully resolved via the process if the parties - you and your spouse - are dedicated to it.