Association of Collaborative Family Lawyers (Edmonton)

I am a member of this organization. If you and your spouse are both motivated to resolve issues related to your separation, then Collaborative Law is probably a great fit for you. Book a free Collaborative Family Law consultation with me or another CFL lawyer and we can discuss the process with you.Collaborative lawyers are trained in interest-based negotiations and mediation skills. Our process doesn't start with settlement positions. We start with understanding the underlying goals, concerns, hopes, fears, and expectations surrounding your separation, and then work through your respective goals to get you to settlement.You don't have to get along with your ex - you just have to be settlement minded! Your collaboratively trained lawyers will schedule a series of settlement meetings where both lawyers and clients are present to discuss the facts and law of your case, and then build solutions together. This process can be much more effective than both parties working on the problem separately, and then sharing an endless series of letters and settlement proposals that focus on your respective positions but have little in the way of explanation.Litigation is necessary where one person is not interested in settlement. If you are separating and your spouse just wants to be difficult or spiteful, then don't try Collaborative Law. Use the court to hold the other person to account. For those how want to keep their separation process private and future-focussed, be sure to talk to a Collaborate Lawyer!

Hello,Below I share my brief thoughts on Collaborative Family Law.People want to be able to work together to create and negotiate healthier, more decent, respectful, safe arrangements for their families.However, it is hard to do that when we aren't talking, or listening. It is easy to fight flight or freeze when we're feeling disrespected or disregarded, unsafe or unappreciated.It is especially hard (and costly) to work through those harms and misunderstandings when we are paying litigation lawyers to sling mud and expensive emails back and forth across the chasm.Why Collaborative?I have chosen a life in Collaborative Family practice because I believe we can choose a more dignified and healthier way to face and address our conflict.I have chosen to work with a community of over 100 Collaborative lawyers, financial experts and family specialists in the Edmonton region (more than 200 of us and growing Alberta wide) because I believe we can process our conflict in way that preserves our financial assets and empowers us to negotiate a Separation Agreement that is better for us, for our children and our former spouse.Collaborative means doing it your way, cheaper, healthier and in a way that empowers you to decide what is best for you and your family, not a stranger on the bench.Feel free to give me (or anyone on the ACFP Roster) a call if you have any questions.CheersPaul G