What Collaborative Law Is: and Is Not
Collaborative divorce is a voluntary dispute resolution process in which both parties and their attorneys sign a participation agreement committing to settle the matter without litigation. Each party retains independent collaborative counsel who may not represent them in subsequent litigation if the process breaks down, a provision that aligns everyone's incentives toward resolution.
The collaborative process involves a series of meetings, typically including the parties, their attorneys, and neutral professionals such as a mental health coach and a financial professional, focused on cooperative, transparent problem-solving rather than adversarial proceedings.
Collaborative law is not mediation; each party has their own attorney advocating for their interests throughout. It is not court; the parties control the timeline and the outcome. It is a third path that works well for the right cases and the right people.
A Formal Legal Framework
On June 28, 2018, Pennsylvania enacted the Collaborative Law Act, passed by the Senate 47-2 and the House 193-0, establishing a formal statutory framework for collaborative proceedings in Pennsylvania. The Act governs the participation agreement, confidentiality of collaborative communications, and the transition to litigation if the process is terminated. This reflects years of advocacy by collaborative practitioners and gives the process formal standing in Pennsylvania law.
The Right Candidates
Collaborative divorce requires both parties to participate in good faith, make full financial disclosure, and engage constructively. It does not work where there is significant power imbalance, ongoing domestic violence, or one party who is not prepared to participate honestly.
The process tends to work well for parties who value privacy; who want to preserve a cooperative co-parenting relationship; who are prepared to make decisions actively; and who have the capacity to engage in structured problem-solving. Professionals and business owners with moderate to high net worth tend to gravitate toward the collaborative process when it is offered.
"Not every divorce should become a drawn-out fight. Collaborative training adds another layer of perspective for clients seeking practical, solution-oriented outcomes."
Contact UsCollaborative Law in Allegheny County
Three Rivers Collaborative Divorce, formerly the Collaborative Law Association of Southwestern Pennsylvania (CLASP), maintains a network of collaboratively trained attorneys and neutral professionals in the Pittsburgh area. The firm participates in that community and works with its professionals in collaborative matters.
As a member of Three Rivers Collaborative Divorce, we offer a free 30-minute consultation specifically about the collaborative process. This consultation is separate from our Strategy Session and covers one question: whether collaborative divorce is a fit for your situation, including how it differs from mediation and from traditional litigation. Please request it by name when you call.
Scott Levine has been collaboratively trained since 2016 and is a trained mediator, which is a prerequisite for collaborative practice.
Collaborative Law Questions
Mediation, collaborative divorce, and attorney-negotiated settlement are three routes to the same result; the first call is where the fit is identified.