NEW YORK (AP) - Collaborative divorce. The term sounds like an oxymoron in a culture steeped in high-cost, high-conflict breakups.WWW RESOURCESFeb 5, 2008DAVID CRARYsend email to DAVID CRARY
Collaborative law is a voluntary dispute resolution process that does not involve the courts. It is a process that is based on facilitative principles, such as mediation, but is distinct from mediation in that the parties are represented by their own lawyers who facilitate the discussion in accordance with an agreement.
Collaborative law (also called collaborative practice, collaborative divorce, and collaborative family law) was originally a divorce procedure in which the two parties agreed that they would not go to court, or threaten to do so. It has expanded significantly since then.
A JUDGE has extended the power of attorney of sectioned Britney Spears' father and a lawyer until February 14 and appointed a doctor to evaluate the troubled pop star's competence to make decisions.