• My Story
    ▼
    • About Me
    • My Vision
    • My Community Involvement
  • Work with Me
    ▼
    • Mediation
    • Collaborative Divorce
    • Settlement-Focused Separation and Divorce
    • Cohabitation Agreements
  • Refer a Client to Me
  • Divorce Resources
    ▼
    • Divorce FAQs
    • Divorce Tools
    • Divorce Forms
    • Communication Tools
    • E-Learning Community
  • Workshops
    ▼
    • Speaking Engagements
  • Media
    ▼
    • Videos
    • Media Engagement
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Stephanie Dobson Lawyer & Mediator

Family Law Mediator & Collaborative Divorce Attorney

780.875.2234
780.875.2234
Client Portal
  • My Story
    • About Me
    • My Vision
    • My Community Involvement
  • Work with Me
    • Mediation
    • Collaborative Divorce
    • Settlement-Focused Separation and Divorce
    • Cohabitation Agreements
  • Refer a Client to Me
  • Divorce Resources
    • Divorce FAQs
    • Divorce Tools
    • Divorce Forms
    • Communication Tools
    • E-Learning Community
  • Workshops
    • Speaking Engagements
  • Media
    • Videos
    • Media Engagement
  • Blog
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Blog / Collaborative Divorce / I’ve decided to use the Collaborative Process for my divorce. What do the 4-Way Meetings Look Like?

I’ve decided to use the Collaborative Process for my divorce. What do the 4-Way Meetings Look Like?

October 5, 2018 By Stephanie Dobson

First things first… Congratulations on choosing a process that is going to put your children in the centre, instead of in the middle.

As you likely know, the Collaborative Process is based on the idea that all of your discussions about your separation and divorce will occur within the context of “4-way meetings”.  Here is your cheat sheet about the Process.

Who: Usually it’s only you, your spouse, and each lawyer.  If everyone consents, others may join the meetings such as professional advisors or family members.  The separating spouses are responsible for determining the outcomes, and the lawyers are responsible for managing the process and establishing an environment conducive to good communication.

When: Meetings are set based on all 4 parties’ schedules.  They may be set every couple weeks or every couple of months depending on the parties.  We average between 3-6 meetings, based on the number of issues and the level of conflict.

Where:  Usually you will alternate between each lawyer’s boardroom.

What: This is what we do during the meetings:

  • Review and sign Participation Agreement
  • Identify what’s important to each party
  • Identify issues and prioritize
  • Gather information
  • Lawyers provide legal advice
  • Generate and weigh options for resolution
  • Achieve resolution
  • Lawyers draft the final agreement and the divorce papers

One suggestion – don’t worry too much about how the process works.  Your Collaborative lawyer’s job is to walk you through the process.  Just worry about whether it’s the right process for you.  Have a look at our archived articles on our website to learn more about the process, or go to www.collaborativepractice.ca.

Share your stories with me how did the Collaborative Process work for you?  Were you pleased with your choice?  Send me an email or follow me on Twitter at @sdobsonlawyer and send me a tweet.  I want to hear from you!

Filed Under: Blog, Collaborative Divorce, Family Law and Divorce

Primary Sidebar

Henka Divorce Law & Mediation
4104 – 50 Avenue
Lloydminster, AB/SK T9V 0V8
T: 780.875.2234
F: 866.210.4617

Our Family in Two HomesAn innovative, practical resource package that combines Stephanie’s live help with a comprehensive workbook so that you can reach a separation agreement that works for your family in a cost-effective way.

Click for More Information

 

Let’s Connect

From the Blog

Must I go to Court to Get a Divorce?

The simple answer is yes… but maybe not in the way that you think.  You must file court papers, and have a judge sign off to finalise your divorce.  However, you are not required to fight … [Read More...]

Videos

  • Preparing for Separation - Stephanie Dobson
    Preparing for Separation - Stephanie Dobson
  • Parenting From Two Homes
    Parenting From Two Homes
  • Our Family in Two Homes Workbook - Stephanie Dobson
    Our Family in Two Homes Workbook - Stephanie Dobson
  • Effective Communication - Stephanie Dobson
    Effective Communication - Stephanie Dobson
  • Rebuilding Trust - Stephanie Dobson
    Rebuilding Trust - Stephanie Dobson
  • Becoming Successful Co-parents - Stephanie Dobson
    Becoming Successful Co-parents - Stephanie Dobson
  • Optimizing Exchanges of Kids - Stephanie Dobson
    Optimizing Exchanges of Kids - Stephanie Dobson
  • The Right Divorce Professional - Stephanie Dobson
    The Right Divorce Professional - Stephanie Dobson
  • Building an Effective Parenting Plan - Stephanie Dobson
    Building an Effective Parenting Plan - Stephanie Dobson
  • Helping Kids Thrive - Stephanie Dobson
    Helping Kids Thrive - Stephanie Dobson
  • How to Tell the Kids - Stephanie Dobson
    How to Tell the Kids - Stephanie Dobson

Footer

Henka Divorce Law & Mediation
4104 – 50 Avenue
Lloydminster, AB/SK T9V 0V8
T: 780.875.2234
F: 866.210.4617

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Articles by Category

Copyright © 2021 Henka Divorce Law & Mediation · All Rights Reserved

· · ·

Website Design by The Crouch Group