What is collaborative law in Colorado?

Collaborative law is a voluntary, non‑court-based process where both parties and their specially trained lawyers negotiate in good faith to resolve family law disputes—including divorce, custody, support, and property—in a cooperative setting.

What must happen before signing a collaborative participation agreement?

Under Colorado law, attorneys must assess if collaborative law is appropriate, explain benefits and risks compared to other options like litigation or mediation, and obtain written informed consent before the agreement is signed.

What occurs if one party starts litigation during the process?

If a party files a court action mid‑process, the collaborative agreement automatically ends, and the attorneys are disqualified from representing the parties in litigation under C.R.S. §13‑24‑114.

Are communications in collaborative law confidential?

Yes—statute protects collaborative communications as privileged. Statements made during the process cannot be used in later litigation, barring limited exceptions.

When is collaborative law not the right choice?

Collaborative law is not suitable when there is a power imbalance, high conflict, safety concerns, or unwillingness of the other party to negotiate in good faith. It also terminates if one party triggers court intervention.

If You Need a Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Call Divorce Matters®

Divorce Matters® has the experience and resources needed to handle any and all of your family and divorce law issues – learn more by booking a consultation today.

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Overview

Collaborative Divorce

Conventional divorce, with the specter of litigation and lengthy court proceedings, can create significant unease in couples who wish to divorce in a respectful, dignified way. Collaborative divorce (or no-court divorce) can be a viable alternative to traditional divorce proceedings. Each situation is unique, and the approach to divorce must be tailored to your needs – and it helps to hire a collaborative divorce attorney. Collaborative divorce may be an avenue worth exploring if you:

Want to maintain control of the divorce process and avoid litigation.
Wish to minimize impacts on your children.
Believe you and your spouse can maintain a tone of respect, despite inevitable disagreements.
Every divorce is different, but in specific situations, collaborative divorce can help transitioning couples move beyond today’s frustrations and pain to find common ground and mutually beneficial solutions for the future.

Another Way to Do Divorce

Another non-traditional approach to divorce is a hybrid of collaborative law and mediation, referred to as Early Neutral Assessment. It has a variety of benefits associated with the Collaborative Law process, but decisions made in ENAs are not binding and couples reserve the right to move to a traditional divorce process if agreements cannot be met.

To see if a collaborative divorce or ENA might be right for your particular situation, call a collaborative divorce attorney at Divorce Matters® today for a consultation.

Divorce Matters® is a Colorado divorce law firm. We provide information and services including the divorce process through the courts, division of marital property assets, as well as debts and parental rights regarding biological and adopted children. If you are interested in speaking with a collaborative divorce attorney, call us today.

Searching for the Best Divorce Lawyer in Colorado?

Divorce Matters® has the experience and resources needed to handle any and all of your family and divorce law issues – learn more by booking a consultation today.

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Overview

Collaborative Divorce

Another Way to Do Divorce

Searching for the Best Divorce Lawyer in Colorado?

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