Divorce can shake your sense of stability, even when both of you want a respectful path forward. You want less conflict, clear next steps, and a plan that protects your kids and your finances.
At Mindful Divorce, P.A., we focus on peace of mind with transparent, fixed-fee services, so you do not worry about surprise bills while you sort out life changes. In this guide, we explain what you can expect from a collaborative divorce team in Florida and how the process works from first meeting to final judgment.
The Collaborative Divorce Team: Roles and Responsibilities
Your team is designed to cover legal, financial, and family needs with less conflict and better communication. Each role has clear responsibilities to keep meetings productive and forward-looking.
Collaborative Attorneys
Each spouse retains a lawyer trained in the collaborative model. Your lawyer gives you legal advice, helps set goals, and speaks up for your interests in team meetings. Both lawyers work toward mutually agreeable solutions, not courtroom battles.
Neutral Financial Professional
The financial neutral analyzes income, expenses, assets, and debts for both spouses. They prepare clear reports and tax-smart options, which helps everyone see the same numbers. With shared data, the team can create settlements that feel fair to both sides.
Mental Health Professional/Divorce Coach
The coach focuses on communication, meeting structure, and tough conversations. They guide the discussion when emotions run high and help both sides speak and listen respectfully. This support keeps the room calm and productive.
Child Specialist (If Applicable)
A child specialist serves as the voice of the children when needed. They bring age-appropriate input on schedules, schooling, and routines, and help design a parenting plan that fits your family’s reality. All advice aligns with Florida Statute 61.13 on shared parental responsibility and the children’s best interests.
| Role | Primary Focus | Typical Tasks | Benefit to You |
| Collaborative Attorney | Legal advice and settlement | Explain rights, draft terms, guide meetings | Clarity on options and strong advocacy without court |
| Financial Neutral | Money and property | Collect data, value assets, model proposals | One financial picture both spouses can trust |
| Divorce Coach | Communication and process | Set agendas, manage conflict, coach skills | Faster, calmer meetings and fewer flare-ups |
| Child Specialist | Children’s needs | Gather input, shape parenting plans | Plans that fit kids’ routines and best interests |
With the right team in place, your meetings tend to be focused, shorter, and far more productive than back-and-forth letters or courtroom hearings.
The Collaborative Divorce Process in Florida: A Step-by-Step Guide
The process follows a structured path. Most families complete a series of guided meetings, then finalize their agreement with a short hearing or paperwork review in court.
Initial Consultation and Participation Agreement
You meet privately with your lawyer to learn how the model works and set goals. Once both spouses agree to proceed, everyone signs a participation agreement that commits the team to settle the case out of court. If the process ends without a deal, both lawyers withdraw, and new counsel takes over.
Team Assembly
Your attorneys help build the team that fits your needs. This often includes a financial neutral and a divorce coach. If children are involved, the team can bring in a child specialist to keep the plan child-focused.
Information Gathering and Full Disclosure
Both sides share financial information voluntarily to build trust and remove guesswork. You will provide pay stubs, tax returns, statements, and a list of assets and debts. The financial neutral organizes the data so everyone can review the same numbers.
Negotiation and Problem-Solving Meetings
The team holds a series of meetings to work through parenting, support, and property topics. Discussions are interest-based, not positional. The goal is practical, durable solutions for both sides.
Settlement Agreement and Court Approval
When all issues are resolved, the lawyers draft a written settlement agreement. You review the terms with your attorney and request any needed edits. The signed agreement is then submitted to the court for approval, which is usually quick, given the consensual nature of the process.
Finalizing the Divorce
After court approval, your divorce is finalized. Any follow-up actions, such as title transfers or retirement orders, are handled with guidance from your team.
Florida data from the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals shows that most collaborative cases settle and many finish within six to nine months. Your timeline will depend on schedules, complexity, and cooperation.
- Simple estates and no disputes about kids often wrap up faster.
- Business interests, stock options, or real estate across states can extend the financial review.
- Virtual meetings help keep momentum when calendars are tight.
Planning your meetings in advance and responding quickly to document requests can shorten the process by weeks.
Is Collaborative Divorce Right for You?
Collaborative divorce works well when both spouses are willing to share information, listen, and compromise. If you want privacy and more control over the outcome, this model fits that goal.
It is not a fit for every situation. Safety and fairness come first, and some cases need a courtroom process to protect a spouse or child.
- Good fit: You want to protect the kids, reduce conflict, and talk through options in a private setting.
- Good fit: Both sides can commit to full financial disclosure and respectful communication.
- Not a fit: There is domestic violence, severe coercion, or one spouse refuses to share financial information.
If you are unsure, a consult can help you weigh your choices, including mediation or litigation. We are happy to talk through the pros and cons in plain language.
Considering Collaborative Divorce? Contact Us Today
If you want a calm, private way to end the marriage, collaborative divorce can help you move forward with less stress and more control. At Mindful Divorce, P.A., we guide clients with clear steps and fixed-fee services, so costs stay predictable from start to finish. Feel free to call us at 561-537-8227 or reach us through our Contact Us page to schedule a consultation. We welcome your questions and work hard to help you reach the best outcome for your family and your future.
