Attorney Bill Leininger Explains Collaborative Divorce Inside the Divorce Mediation Process
Collaborative divorce gives each spouse their own attorney plus shared neutral experts, explains divorce mediation attorney Bill Leininger. It sounds appealing, but with several professionals all billing hourly, it's costly—he saw roughly 90% of clients decline. His verdict: it's worth it only for substantial estates or special complications like a child's autism; average couples are better served by mediation.
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Answered by Bill Leininger · Sarasota, FL and Staten Island, NY
Highlights
— how collaborative divorce spread from the South over recent decades
— what his second collaborative training involved
— the expert fees that pile up: psychologist, financial specialist
— when collaborative divorce makes sense: substantial assets or complex needs
— why he doesn't recommend it in 95% of his cases
Frequently Asked Questions
What is collaborative divorce?
It gives each spouse their own attorney plus shared neutral experts; it spread from the South over recent decades as an alternative to litigation.
What did his collaborative training involve?
He completed a second round of collaborative training to learn the process and how the team of professionals works together.
Why is collaborative divorce expensive?
Several professionals—a psychologist, a financial specialist, and more—all bill hourly, so the fees pile up quickly.
When does collaborative divorce make sense?
Mainly for substantial estates or special complications, such as a child's autism, where the extra expertise earns its cost.
How often does he recommend it?
Rarely—he doesn't recommend it in about 95% of his cases, since average couples are better served by mediation.
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