Collaborative Law FAQs

About 95-97% of all separation and divorce cases settle before trial. Several years ago, some family litigation lawyers in Minnesota decided that negotiation could avoid the need for litigation and help clients save time, money, and heartache.

In the collaborative law process, you make decisions rather than a judge or an arbitrator. And unlike mediation, negotiation takes place with family law attorneys or divorce coaches providing support. Plus, parties in a collaborative law case…

• Must sign an agreement that prevents their attorneys from litigating their case
• Usually, meet with their attorneys at conferences
• Must cooperate to reach a settlement

Honesty and transparency are vital.

Typically, if you and a disputing party can’t resolve your dispute, then the collaborative law attorneys must withdraw from the case. However, attorney Baum has successfully represented Rockville, MD area clients in “collaborative style” (sometimes called “cooperative style”) cases. This means the parties agreed to follow the collaborative law principles without agreeing to an attorney disqualification statement.

No. You must retain an attorney who’s specially trained in this process. Attorney Baum is a leader in the collaborative law movement in the Rockville, MD area. Visit the Biography page to learn more about attorney Baum.

Attorney Baum will provide your spouse or partner with a list of collaborative law attorneys.