Collaborative Divorce

You don’t need to have all the answers or feel totally “ready” to begin. If you and your co-parent or partner are committed to avoiding court and willing to explore a peaceful, respectful resolution, a collaborative divorce can offer you a path forward that protects your well-being, your children, and your future.

Collaborative Divorce

A Structured, Compassionate Path Forward

Collaborative Divorce is a respectful, team-based approach to separation that prioritizes communication, emotional safety, and long-term stability. It allows couples to resolve family matters, such as parenting, finances, and future planning, without going to court.

Instead of entering a legal battle, you work with a team of professionals who are committed to helping you transition peacefully. As a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator with advanced training in Collaborative Divorce Practice, I serve as the neutral facilitator—guiding the emotional tone, supporting productive communication, and helping both parties stay focused on what truly matters.

What is Collaborative Divorce?

Collaborative Divorce is a private, out-of-court process where separating couples work through their legal, financial, and emotional matters with a team of specially trained professionals. This approach is designed to reduce conflict and protect the emotional and financial well-being of everyone involved—especially children.

The collaborative team typically includes:

  • Two collaboratively trained attorneys (one for each spouse)

  • A collaboratively trained neutral financial professional

  • A collaboratively trained neutral facilitator (my role)

Unlike traditional divorce, where a judge makes the final decisions, you remain in control of every outcome. This process invites transparency, mutual respect, and creative problem-solving—without the public exposure or adversarial tone of court proceedings.

Why Choose Collaborative Divorce?

Collaborative Divorce is ideal for individuals and families who want to:

  • Avoid litigation and preserve dignity throughout the divorce process

  • Minimize emotional strain on children and protect long-term relationships

  • Maintain privacy—collaborative agreements are often kept out of public court records

  • Reduce legal costs by using a team-based, coordinated approach

  • Create customized agreements that reflect your actual needs, not just legal defaults

You don’t have to be in full agreement to be successful in this process. You simply need to be willing to stay at the table, stay out of court, and work toward a peaceful, sustainable resolution.

My Role as a Neutral Facilitator

As the neutral facilitator, I am not an attorney, judge, or decision-maker. My role is to:

  • Guide respectful, productive conversations between parties and team members

  • Support emotional regulation and communication throughout the process

  • Help identify emotional dynamics and unspoken needs that may affect progress

  • Keep the collaborative process on track and grounded in mutual goals

  • Create a safe, structured environment where both parties feel heard and supported

I bring a trauma-informed lens, emotional intelligence, and years of experience helping families navigate high-conflict moments with clarity and compassion.

How Collaborative Divorce Differs from Mediation

While both collaborative divorce and mediation avoid litigation, collaborative divorce offers a full team model—including legal, emotional, and financial support from the beginning. This team approach is especially beneficial for complex cases involving parenting concerns, long-term financial planning, or intense emotional dynamics.

Mediation typically involves just the parties and a neutral mediator. Collaborative divorce brings more structure, more support, and more minds around the table—all committed to a peaceful resolution.

Collaborative Practice Can Also Be Used For:

  • LGBTQ+ couples navigating separation

  • Unmarried co-parents or partners

  • Paternity and child support discussions

  • Pre- and post-marital agreements

  • Parenting time and co-parenting logistics

  • Emotional and therapeutic family concerns

  • Distribution of assets, debts, and shared responsibilities

Cost of Services:

-$3000 retainer (split evenly between the parties unless agreed or requested differently)

-$300 hr

-Payment is due the day of signed agreement

-Payment can be made in the following ways:

*credit card over Zoom

Venmo: @JessicaOliverLCSW

Zelle: Jessica@peacefulpasturesranch.org

Cashapp: $JessicaOliverLCSW