This information is made possible by the professionals listed here that serve as Sponsors of CFLCW
- Robert Arthur, JD2020 Silver | Dolphin Award Recipient
Robert Arthur, JD
Arthur Law Office LLC
Robert McMillan Arthur is a collaborative attorney and mediator practicing in the Metro Milwaukee area and the Fox Valley. His family law practice is centered around Collaborative Family Law, using his experience and training to empower and inform clients, advocate for their interests, and guide them in difficult problem solving. Contact him at (414) 501-2370 extension 1. - Sandra Eugster, PhD2020 Silver Sponsor
Sandra Eugster, PhD
WESTSIDE PSYCHOTHERAPY, LLC
4513 Vernon Blvd., Suite 100
Madison, WI 53705
Phone 608.335.8286 - Elizabeth Matola, MSW, LCSW2020 Silver Sponsor
Elizabeth Matola, MSW, LCSW
MINDFUL THERAPY CONSULTING
13965 W. Burleigh Rd. #203
Brookfield, WI 53005
Phone: 262-391-8052 - Anne Brannon2020 Silver Sponsor
Anne Brannon | Mortgage Sales Manager
OLD NATIONAL BANK
15600 W Cleveland Ave
New Berlin, WI 53151Affiliate Member, CFLCW
- Daniel Wasserman, CPA, CVA, MST2020 Silver Sponsor
Daniel Wasserman, CPA, CVA, MST
WASSERMAN & SHUFF
8375 S Howell Ave # 202
Oak Creek, WI 53154-8344
Phone: (414) 764-7020 - D’Angelo & Grabow2020 Silver Sponsor
Christine D'Angelo, JD | ReAnna C. Grabow, JD
D'ANGELO & GRABOW, LLP
N14W23755 Stone Ridge Drive, Suite 200, Waukesha, WI 53188Not All Divorces Are The Same
We know every family's legal needs are different. Our experienced attorneys can help you understand your options and decide which path is best to pursue. Call us at 262-278-0987 - Carlton Stansbury, JD2020 Silver Sponsor | Dolphin Award Recipent
Carlton Stansbury, JD
BURBACH & STANSBURY
10850 W. Park Place
Suite 530
Milwaukee, WI 53224
414.721.9611
What is The Collaborative Tour?
The Tour is a series of pages that will provide you with an overview of the Collaborative Process, the professionals you will work with as you participate, and how they support you. While the Collaborative Process is well defined, it is flexible and you and your team will do what works for you and your situation.
Before You Start the Tour - Myths & Realities
One of the mainstays of the Collaborative Process is that every aspect is transparent - information is shared with everyone and all interests are considered. It is also important to have some common knowledge and understanding about divorce. The FAQ page provides some valuable information, and the Tour will address the process and participants. But here are some very important Myths & Realities about divorce and Collaborative:
Myth: No divorce is easy, unless it involves 2 people with no belongings, no interests, no children, no financial assets, no debts and no needs for the future. You can "do it yourself" in that type of situation. Collaborative is designed to minimize the emotional and financial drain of divorce, and allow couples to focus on everyone's best interests. The process is not necessarily easier, but the outcome is almost always better for everyone. In Wisconsin no divorce can be accomplished in less than 120 days - the minimum waiting period set by state statute. In Collaborative, you set the pace, not the Court.
Reality: It CAN be but most importantly, the process is more efficient from a financial perspective. Collaborative uses the best professionals for the issue at hand and while the total cost may be similar to other forms of divorce, the outcome is more customized to your situation. In litigation, all the fees typically are paid to the attorney, even if they lack the expertise for the issue. For example, with Collaborative you develop a Parenting Plan with a Child Specialist trained and experienced in drafting plans that make sense for your situation. Moreover, the hourly fee of the expert is almost always less than an attorney. In litigation or traditional divorce, the attorney will draft the plan, and charge you for that even though they have no training with parenting plans. Collaborative is a better emotional, practical and economic decision.
Myth: Compared to the typical contested litigated divorce, there are actually LESS people involved in a Collaborative divorce. Collaborative involves a single neutral financial expert that helps you understand the financial aspects of your situation now and in the future and provides options for you to consider. In litigation, both sides hire "expert witnesses" to argue about each other's numbers. In litigation, you and your partner will pay for time and materials spent in discovery and witnesses and depositions and filings and a host of other exercises devoted to conflict.
Myth: the professionals that serve as Divorce Coaches and Child Specialists are not engaged to provide therapy. Child Specialists provide input and insight into your children's interests and attitudes, regardless of age. Even adult children can participate in this manner. The Coach is there to help you deal with the emotional aspects and help with educating the Collaborative team about your interests and needs without diagnosing or therapeutic intervention.
Myth: That statement reveals a lack of understanding about the Collaborative process. Your Collaborative attorney represents you in the process and both you and your partner have your own lawyers. Your lawyer does advocate for you. What Collaborative attorneys also strive to do is look at the interests of everyone else in or impacted by the process - your partner, your children, even adult children and grandparents - to help craft a settlement that you support because it makes sense for everyone. If your goal is to hurt your spouse or children, to make them pay, or get as much as you can regardless of what does to everyone, then Collaborative is not a process for you. Litigation, which is very expensive and confrontational, can provide that outcome at what we believe to be a tremendous cost to you and your family.