Collaborative divorce has one simple requirement: The spouses must each retain attorneys who focus solely on helping them reach an agreement on all issues. The collaborative attorneys are private problem-solving specialists, and they cannot be used in contested court hearings. This requirement creates a safe, non-adversarial environment so that each spouse knows that the other spouse’s attorney is not attempting to gather information to use against him or her later in court. It also ensures that resources are directed towards helping the clients reach an agreement rather than wasted in opposition research or dirty trial tactics.
There are many different models of collaborative divorce that are used throughout the world. The model that is most frequently used here in Florida involves one neutral facilitator, who generally has a mental health background, and one neutral financial professional. This model was created in Texas by, among others, Linda Solomon, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
You can learn more about Linda Solomon and the beginning of this model in the video below from Cutting Edge Law:
Next Generation Divorce, Florida’s largest interdisciplinary collaborative practice group, is bringing Linda Solomon here to St. Petersburg on September 11-12, 2015 to train attorneys, mental health professionals, financial professionals, and mediators on this model of collaborative practice. Professionals may find out more information and sign up using the following link: http://nextgenerationdivorce.com/save-the-date-two-day-introductory-collaborative-training-in-saint-petersburg-florida/.
If you have questions about how the Florida collaborative divorce process can help your family, schedule a consultation with The Law Firm of Adam B. Cordover, P.A., at (813) 443-0615 or fill out our contact form. Adam now practices exclusively in out-of-court dispute resolution with a focus on collaborative divorce, mediation, and unbundled legal services.
Adam is president of Next Generation Divorce, a 501(c)(3) with member attorneys, mental health professionals, and financial professionals helping families in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties. Adam is also on the Board of Directors of the Collaborative Family Law Council of Florida and a graduate of the inaugural class of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals’ Leadership Academy.
Family Diplomacy is dedicated to helping clients restructure their families privately and respectfully. We practice exclusively in out-of-court dispute resolution, with a focus on collaborative divorce and family law, mediation, direct negotiations, and unbundled legal services.
We maintain this out-of-court practice because we strongly believe that family disputes should be resolved in a private conference room, not in a hostile and public courtroom environment. This unique perspective on family law stems back to Adam B. Cordover’s experience studying International Affairs in Washington, D.C., and abroad. Adam had the rare opportunity to work closely with ambassadors and diplomats from war-torn regions around the world. He traveled around the globe, learning from diplomatic leaders as they applied dispute resolution techniques to tackle seemingly impossible conflicts. It dawned on him: If these techniques can work in the complex world of International Relations, why not Domestic Relations and Family Law?
This realization lead Adam to create an exclusively out-of-court practice and to bring a more peacemaking approach to family law. In his previous role as a litigation attorney, Adam witnessed parties experience the negative emotional and financial effects that long, drawn out divorce battles can have on families. As a result, Adam has become a strong proponent of the Collaborative Process, where a structure is put in place so that life’s hardest moments do not have to be any more difficult than necessary.
A thought leader in the international collaborative law community, Adam successfully spearheaded an effort of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit to draft an administrative order safeguarding the principles of collaborative family law (just the fourth such administrative order in Florida). Adam has been featured in or interviewed about collaborative practice by the Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Tribune, Orlando Sentinel, Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Business Journal, Florida Bar News, NBC, Fox 13, Bay News 9, ABC Action News, The World of Collaborative Practice Magazine, and Spirit FM 90.5. Adam regularly speaks at professional and civic organizations locally and internationally regarding the collaborative process.
Adam B. Cordover is president of Next Generation Divorce, a 501(c)(3) and Florida’s largest interdisciplinary collaborative practice group with member attorneys, mental health professionals, and financial professionals throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Sarasota, and Manatee Counties. Adam is also on the Executive Board and co-chair of the Research Committee of the Collaborative Family Law Council of Florida. Further, Adam is a graduate of the inaugural class of the Leadership Academy of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.
You can learn more about us and our services at www.FamilyDiplomacy.com.
Attorney Adam B. Cordover is admitted to the Florida Bar and the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida. His office is located at 412 East Madison Street, Suite 824, Tampa, Florida 33602.
The Law Firm of Adam B. Cordover, P.A. is now Family Diplomacy: A Collaborative Law Firm
At Family Diplomacy, we believe the process of resolving disputes should be private, cooperative, and efficient. That is why we are proud to be one of the first family law firms in the Tampa Bay area to practice exclusively in out-of-court dispute resolution with a focus on Collaborative Law. Collaborative Law is a next-generation family law process that brings together family members to respectfully negotiate resolutions.
To schedule a consultation or learn more about Family Diplomacy: A Collaborative Law Firm, call us at 813.443.0615 or visit us online at FamilyDiplomacy.com.
Located in Downtown Tampa at the intersection of North Florida Avenue and East Madison Street, we practice throughout the Tampa Bay area, including in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Sarasota, and Manatee counties. Our address is 412 East Madison Street, Suite 824, Tampa, Florida 33602.
Adam B. Cordover Receives 2013 Avvo Clients’ Choice Award
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