SARASOTA FAMILY LAW COLLABORATIVE PROFESSIONALS, INC
TAMPA, FLORIDA

It requires that both parties, with the assistance of their attorneys, provide all pertinent documents and information relating to the issues to be settled, and that they work together toward a shared resolution. Decision-making meetings of all members of the Team are scheduled with agendas in place and agreed agendas are followed. The Collaborative Team is a combination of specifically-trained individuals with whom the parties work to resolve their disputes. In addition to the respective attorneys who will provide advocacy for their clients, the Team includes a neutral financial expert and a neutral mental health professional. The mental health professional will guide the process and provide direction in addressing restructuring of the family. Elements pertaining to each specific party and the parenting plan can be addressed as assigned tasks. The clients are a vital part of the Team. The process shifts decision-making into their hands rather than into the hands of the judge. This group collective process produces a more satisfactory outcome for both parties as they actively participate in all aspects of the decision-making process. The Collaborative Law Process Act, Florida Statutes sections 61.55-61.58, effective on July 1, 2017, provides a statutory framework in Florida for collaborative resolution of family law matters in Florida. The Collaborative Process utilizes informal discussions and conferences, and a pledge by the Collaborative Team to quickly and efficiently resolve all issues out of court and without litigation. Trained professionals act collaboratively as problem solvers, not adversaries. The attorneys are client advocates and pledge to work with a team consisting of a neutral financial expert and mental health professional to thoroughly address and resolve all family disputes. The financial expert assists in gathering and analyzing financial information and provides neutral financial advice to both parties, while the mental health professional guides the process and helps the parties address parenting plans and family restructuring.