What is Cooperative Divorce Law?
It is not an all-encompassing term for the settlement approach to divorce. Cooperative divorce law is the name of our newest alternative to fighting it out in court. It is not mediation and it is not collaborative law. It is our third minimally invasive way to divorce, and it comes complete with its own settlement process. Cooperative is similar to collaborative law in that it centers on a respectful negotiation … [Read more...]
What are the Benefits of Cooperative Divorce Law?
It makes it possible to communicate with your spouse without starting a war; It provides a safe place and format for constructive settlement negotiations; It reduces some the stress, frustration, and uncertainty of divorce; It formalizes the commitment of the attorneys to focus on negotiation instead of litigation; It is easier on the parties and on their children; It enables and encourages healthy co-parenting … [Read more...]
What Do the Lawyers Do Differently in Cooperative Divorce?
In addition to the parties’ commitment to help themselves, the lawyers also commit to do their share to keep things sensible and cooperative. The lawyers join in to strengthen the parties’ resolve by: Acknowledging and encouraging each client’s willingness to formalize his or her commitment to cooperate by entering into a Cooperative Divorce Law Participation Agreement; Stressing the significance … [Read more...]
What happens When a Cooperative Divorce Goes to Court?
Even if a cooperative divorce law case does go to court, the parties are likely to have a less stressful and less costly experience than if they had not tried the cooperative approach. The cooperative spirit, the non-forceful coaching style that the lawyers use to explain divorce law, and the general seasoning of the parties’ reasoning often pay considerable dividends even after litigation begins. Some of … [Read more...]
Sample Cooperative Divorce Law Participation Agreement
Law Firm of Kulerski and Cornelison; Illinois Cooperative Divorce Law; Agreement to Participate; We, ___________________________ and ___________________________, in an effort to minimize the negative effects and cost of our forthcoming dissolution of marriage, do hereby agree to cooperate with each other and to do our very best to resolve our differences by way of a mutually … [Read more...]
Addendum to the Participation Agreement
Law Firm of Kulerski and Cornelison; Cooperative Divorce Law; Addendum to Agreement to Participate; We, _______________________ and ______________________, the parties to the attached Cooperative Divorce Law Agreement to Participate dated _____________ , do hereby agree to do our best to conduct ourselves in full compliance with the behavioral suggestions contained in this Appendum … [Read more...]
For More Information:
- Collaborative Divorce Law
- Divorce Mediation
- Your Initial Office Consultation
- Our Non-Court Approach
- 6 Divorce Law Myth Busters
We welcome hearing from you and we invite your questions. There is no obligation. No one will ever know that we spoke or what we discussed. Everything you say is privileged, confidential, and completely classified. We do not maintain a mailing list and will not contact you unless you ask us to.
Calling us is easy. Ask for Richard or Kari (Oak Brook 630-928-0600 or Chicago 312-235-0100), or email us at rk@illinoislegal.com or kc@illinoislegal.com.
If we are in court or in a meeting when you call, one of us will personally get back to you as quickly as possible. We are extremely discreet with callbacks and reply emails. Just leave your name and a secure email address or personal cell phone number.
Richard and Kari are staunch advocates of the non-court approach to divorce, and are also active and seasoned litigators with over 60 years of combined trial experience in the Illinois divorce courts of Cook, DuPage, and Kane counties.
