What ends the collaborative law process?

Collaborative law is where you work together outside of the courtroom to reach a divorce agreement. It differs from mediation in that once you enter the process, you must reach a resolution, or you must start over from the beginning.

To end the collaborative law process, Ohio law dictates what must happen.

Negotating a resoltuion

The law states you can negotiate a resolution in the matter that covers all issues at hand and sign the agreement. You may also negotiate an agreement partly covering the issues and included in your signed document the specific issues not resolved. Ideally, the process will end in one of these two ways because it allows for it to be productive and beneficial to all parties.

Terminating the process

You also can end the collaborative law process through termination. That could happen by giving notice in a formal record that you cannot reach a resolution.

Another way it might happen is if the process began without all parties in agreement or if someone involved petitions the court for a proceeding. Firing an attorney by either party or an attorney withdrawing from the process also will conclude the process.

Note that requesting court approval for an agreement is not the same as petitioning the court. It will not end the process. In addition, if an attorney leaves the case but all parties agree on a replacement, then the process does not have to terminate.

Collaborative divorce is an alternative dispute resolution process. It has to follow specific rules to work, which means terminating the process requires these specific actions.