By Mike Fancher, Seattle Divorce Services

One of the first things that happens in any Collaborative case is putting the professional team together. On our website you will see the names of professionals who work in the various Collaborative team roles – attorneys, divorce coaches, financial specialists, and child specialists.  Those roles constitute the core Collaborative team.  Sometimes we will also bring in other specialists as needed, such as a mortgage broker, vocational specialist, or appraiser.

However, you don’t need to worry about having to put your whole team together on your own.  Once you have connected with a Collaborative professional, they can help with recommendations.

Most often clients come into the Collaborative process through the attorneys.  When both attorneys have been hired, they typically consult with each other as to whom they should recommend for the other team members.  We suggest that you meet with the person we have recommended for a specific role, and let us know if it does not feel like a good fit.  If it does not seem like a good fit, we are happy to recommend someone else.

Sometimes clients come into Collaboration through another professional they have met, such as a divorce coach or financial specialist.  That person will also be happy to recommend Collaborative team members, including attorneys they are familiar with.