Collaborative Family Law
Collaborative family law is a relatively new approach in Australia to resolving family law disputes that provides an alternative to the traditional legislative approach to divorce. It involves each party sitting down, face-to-face, in a room with their respective lawyers and negotiating the issues involved in their separation until an agreement is reached.
From parenting arrangements through to a property settlement, the collaborative process ensures both parties have an equal opportunity to discuss their ideas and their wishes. When issues arise that cannot be resolved between the two parties, independent experts from other fields such as psychologists, counselors, accountants and financial planners, can also be included in the negotiations in an attempt to break the deadlock and achieve a resolution.
Importantly, the decisions made as a result of the collaborative approach are equally binding from a legal perspective, yet the couples and families are spared the stress and emotional trauma that can result from appearing in court and having a third party impose a resolution on them.
Coleman Greig’s accredited specialists in family law have a particular interest in the collaborative approach and have undertaken training in the area to ensure they provide the best possible representation. They can advise whether or not your particular family law dispute is suited to a collaborative approach and if so, assist you with the negotiation process to ensure your matter is resolved quickly and effectively.
Collaborative Family Law - Our Clients
The experienced team of family lawyers at Coleman Greig can provide advice and assistance to clients with any family law issue. Whether you were married or in a de-facto relationship, with children or without, our specialist team can work with you to achieve the best possible results on your behalf.
We have helped separating couples with complex property and financial settlements, those who own family businesses and those with difficult and complicated parenting arrangements to resolve. In all cases, the breadth and depth of our collective experience and our access to expertise form a range of other areas have resulted in a successful outcome for our clients.
Below are some recent comments from family law clients;
"For me, the best part of dealing with Coleman Greig is that you don't feel like a client with a solicitor - it’s like being part of a family and everyone is trying to help you and keep you smiling, despite the circumstances" - January 2013
"Susan, I want to thank you so much for all you have done to make my financial settlement possible. You have managed to keep the process going and to achieve a really good result. I have enjoyed our meetings and appreciated your understanding of the situation and incisive actions. Without you it would not have happened." - November 2012
"I am sure that all of Coleman Greig's lawyers and staff are professional and have the best interests of their clients at heart, but I have to commend and send a special thank you to Susan Warda and her team for the wonderful job they have done for me. Thank you Susan from the bottom of my heart!" – November 2012
"I am sorry to say that I can't really help you to improve the service.... because I can’t think of anything you could improve! Everything was excellent in my experience and I wouldn’t suggest you change a thing" – October 2012
"I wish there were bigger words to express my appreciation. Thank you does not seem enough somehow. I thank you for your professionalism, your calm empathy, and the example you are as to how to deal with a crisis. Naturally, I thank you for the rest as well." - October 2012
"Carly, I want to personally thank you for everything you have done for me over the time of my case. You have been very kind and patient and I have appreciated it. Whatever the outcome, my sincere thanks. You have made a bad situation a little easier to deal with." - November 2011
"Thank you so much for your objective advice and for anchoring me and working out what was in my best interests at a time when I thought my only option was to run to court. Although I would rather not go through this again, if anything comes up I will definitely keep you and Coleman Greig in mind." - October 2011
"Prompt service and very accommodating to unplanned/emergency contact and action. I had complete confidence and trust in my solicitor Mark MacDiarmid, plus he was recommended to me." - May 2011
"My son has asked if you would forward our family’s appreciation to Susan Warda and Carly Mirza-Price for their excellent professional help and direction in resolving my son’s shared custody of his children. We will without hesitation contact Susan again should we have any ongoing issues." - April 2011