Resources
COLLABORATIVE FAMILY LAW
TO MAKE YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT WITH US MOST EFFICIENT, please download, print and fill out the Family Law Intake Form and bring it with you to your initial appointment. This will give us basic information about you and your family, which enable us to assist you better.
To help you determine whether Collaborative Family Law is a good fit for you and your partner, take this self assessment survey.
On the Internet
The STATEMENT OF NET WORTH is a form commonly used in divorce and other family law cases where finances are at issue. It is a useful tool to organize all financial information, including income, expenses, assets and liabilities into one document. Dowload it here from the New York Courts website.
The American Bar Association has published an article by Pauline Tesler, a leading attorney in the collaborative law field, which describes the Collaborative Law process, entitled Collaborative Divorce: A Team Approach to Divorce.
The Ithaca Area Collaborative Professionals is a practice group of attorneys in Tompkins and surrounding counties who have been trained to practice collaborative family law. We meet monthly, to mentor each other and promote the growth of collaborative law. This site has information about collaborative family law as well as a listing of all attorneys in Tompkins and surrounding counties who are trained to practice collaborative law.
The International Academy of Collaborative Professionals is an organization comprised of attorneys, mental health professionals, and financial professionals who are committed to the practice of collaborative law. The site contains a wealth of information about collaborative practice, as well as listings of professionals in all states and many countries abroad.
The Collaborative Professional Center maintains a website sponsored by Mediate.com, which contains links to resources and articles about collaborative practice.
The Collaborative Law Participation Agreement is the contract that the parties and attorneys sign at the beginning of the collaborative law process. It outlines the principles of collaborative law and commits the parties and their attorneys to follow those principles. Click Here to read and download a copy.
Today Show: Watch a clip of a Today Show segment featuring interviews with collaborative attorneys and clients who resolved their divorce collaboratively.
Gary Direnfeld, a Social Worker who works frequently with divorcing couples, has made a video describing Collaborative Family Law. You may view it by clicking here.
In Print
The Collaborative Way to Divorce: The Revolutionary Method that Results in Less Stress, Lower Costs, and Happier Kids--Without Going to Court. By Stu Webb and Ron Ousky (Published by Hudson Street Press 2006)
Collaborative Divorce: The Revolutionary New Way to Restructure Your Family, Resolve Legal Issues, and Move on with Your Life.
By Pauline Tesler and Peggy Thompson (Published by Regan Books 2006)
Divorce: a Problem to be Solved, Not a Battle to be Fought. By Karen Fagerstrom, et al. (Published by Brookwood Publishing 1997)
Divorce Without Court: A guide to Mediation and Collaborative Divorce. By Katherine E. Stoner (Published by Nolo Press, 1st Edition 2006)
MEDIATION
FOR SEPARATING FAMILIES
TO MAKE YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT WITH US MOST EFFICIENT, please download, print, and fill out the Family Law Intake Form, and bring it with you to your initial appointment. This will give us basic information about you and your family which will enable us to assist you better.
PARENTS APART ®, is a six-hour class developed by the Community Dispute Resolution Center and offered under the auspices of the Cornell Cooperative Extension for parents who want to promote a healthy adjustment for their children during the adults’ separation and/or divorce. Topics discussed include: the emotional experience of separation and divorce for both parents and children; what parents can do to help their children adjust; ways to keep the children out of the middle of parental conflict; skills for listening to children; tools for parenting apart; understanding the legal process; how mediation and other non-court processes can be helpful; and local resources available to help families. The brochure is available through the Cooperative Extension, and can be dowloaded by clicking here. To enroll, download and mail in the registration form.
Gary Direnfeld is a Social Worker who has written many articles helpful to divorce or separating parents, with an emphasis on reduction of parental conflict and easing the children's transition. Download his parenting and family articles here; download his articles on separation and divorce here.
Mom's House, Dad's House: Making Two Homes for Your Child. By Isolina Ricci, et. al (Published by Fireside, Revised edition 1997)
