Barrington Collaborative Divorce Lawyer — Respectful Resolution Through Team-Based Negotiation

Collaborative divorce offers a structured, private alternative to courtroom litigation for couples committed to resolving their dissolution through transparent negotiation and problem-solving.

At Manassa Law P.C., our Barrington collaborative divorce lawyers guide families through interest-based negotiation, coordinate with financial neutrals and child specialists when needed, and translate consensus into enforceable Marital Settlement Agreements and Allocation Judgments.

Our founding attorney, Lawrence S. Manassa, is a fellow with the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois. Call (847) 221-5511 to schedule a consultation.

Key Takeaways for Barrington Collaborative Divorce

• Collaborative divorce requires both parties to sign a participation agreement committing to transparent disclosure, respectful negotiation, and resolution outside of court under the Illinois Collaborative Process Act.
• If negotiations break down and either party files contested motions, both collaborative attorneys must withdraw—creating strong financial and strategic incentives to reach agreement.
• The collaborative team may include attorneys, a financial neutral (CPA or financial planner), a divorce coach (mental health professional), and a child specialist to address parenting concerns.
• Collaborative divorce works best when both parties value privacy, want to maintain a workable co-parenting relationship, and are willing to disclose assets and income voluntarily—but not when one party is hiding income, when there’s significant power imbalance, or when immediate court intervention is necessary.

Why Choose Manassa Law P.C. for Collaborative Divorce in Barrington

Collaborative divorce requires specialized training, interest-based negotiation skills, and the ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams.

 At Manassa Law P.C., our founding attorney, Lawrence S. Manassa, is a fellow with the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois, bringing advanced training and experience to collaborative cases in Barrington, South Barrington, Lake Barrington, Barrington Hills, and throughout Lake and Cook Counties.

Whether you’re navigating business valuations, executive compensation packages, retirement account division, or high-conflict parenting issues, we bring Illinois-specific knowledge, measured guidance, and collaborative training to protect your interests and facilitate durable agreements.

What Is Collaborative Divorce in Illinois?

Collaborative divorce is a voluntary, structured process where both spouses and their attorneys commit to resolving all divorce-related issues (property division, spousal maintenance, parenting plans, and support obligations) through private negotiation rather than courtroom litigation.

The process is governed by the Illinois Collaborative Process Act (750 ILCS 90/), which establishes procedural requirements, confidentiality protections, and ethical standards for collaborative practice.

Both parties sign a participation agreement at the outset. This agreement commits each spouse to:

• Full and voluntary disclosure of all financial information, assets, debts, and income.
• Good-faith negotiation focused on interests and needs rather than positional bargaining.
• Respectful communication and problem-solving.
• Resolution of all issues outside of court without filing contested motions or engaging in adversarial litigation.

The participation agreement includes a critical disqualification provision: if either party terminates the collaborative process and files contested motions, both collaborative attorneys must withdraw from representation.

The Collaborative Divorce Process in Barrington

The collaborative divorce process follows a predictable set of steps: 

Initial Consultation and Participation Agreement

Each spouse consults with a collaborative attorney separately to determine whether collaborative divorce is a suitable option. If both parties agree to proceed, they sign a participation agreement committing to the collaborative process.

Team Selection and Initial Disclosure

If financial, mental health, or child-related professionals are needed, the parties jointly select neutral team members. Both spouses complete comprehensive financial disclosures, including tax returns, bank statements, business valuations, retirement account statements, and debt documentation.

Interest-Based Negotiation Sessions

The parties, attorneys, and team members meet in structured sessions to identify interests, explore options, and negotiate agreements on property division, spousal maintenance, parenting plans, and support obligations.

Sessions focus on problem-solving rather than positional bargaining.

Agreement Drafting and Court Filing

Once all issues are resolved, attorneys draft a comprehensive Marital Settlement Agreement and, if children are involved, an Allocation Judgment incorporating the parenting plan. The parties sign the agreements, and the attorneys file the necessary documents with the court.

Prove-Up Hearing and Final Judgment

The court schedules a prove-up hearing where the judge reviews the settlement agreement, asks questions to confirm understanding and voluntariness, and, if satisfied, enters a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage.

Many Illinois counties now allow remote prove-up hearings in uncontested cases.

The Collaborative Divorce Team

Collaborative divorce typically involves a multi-disciplinary team of professionals who bring specialized knowledge to specific aspects of the case.

Collaborative Attorneys

Each spouse retains a separate collaborative attorney trained in interest-based negotiation and collaborative law. Attorneys provide legal guidance, advocate for their client’s interests, and facilitate productive negotiation sessions.

Unlike traditional litigation, collaborative attorneys work cooperatively to identify solutions rather than taking adversarial positions.

Financial Neutral

A financial neutral, typically a CPA, certified financial planner, or forensic accountant, assists with asset valuation, income analysis, tax implications, and budgeting. The financial neutral works for both parties jointly, providing impartial analysis rather than advocacy.

This shared expert reduces costs, eliminates competing valuations, and provides both parties with the same financial information.

Divorce Coach

A divorce coach (a licensed mental health professional) helps parties manage emotions, communicate effectively, and maintain focus on interests rather than positions. They facilitate productive conversation during sessions and help parties navigate the emotional challenges of divorce.

Coaches may work with both parties jointly or individually, depending on the circumstances.

Child Specialist

A child specialist (a psychologist or licensed clinical social worker) addresses parenting concerns, child development issues, and the emotional impact of divorce on children. The child specialist may meet with the children (with parental consent), provide developmental insights, and help parents craft parenting plans that minimize conflict and support the children’s adjustment.

Not every collaborative case requires all team members. Simple cases may involve only attorneys, while complex cases with children, business interests, or significant emotional conflict benefit from the full team approach.

How Collaborative Divorce Differs from Mediation

Collaborative divorce and mediation are both alternative dispute resolution methods, but they differ in structure, representation, and team involvement.

Collaborative Divorce	Mediation
Both parties have separate attorneys who participate in all negotiation sessions.	Parties may or may not have attorneys; if they do, attorneys typically don’t attend mediation sessions.
A multi-disciplinary team may include financial neutrals, divorce coaches, and child specialists.	A single neutral mediator facilitates negotiation but doesn’t provide legal, financial, or therapeutic services.
The participation agreement requires full transparency and commits both parties to resolution outside of court.	No formal participation agreement; mediation is typically less structured and can address specific issues rather than comprehensive resolution.
If the process fails, both collaborative attorneys must withdraw.	If mediation fails, parties retain their attorneys and proceed to litigation.

Collaborative divorce offers more structure, professional support, and commitment mechanisms than mediation. It’s particularly effective for complex cases involving business valuations, executive compensation, multiple properties, or high-conflict parenting issues where professional guidance is necessary to reach durable agreements.

When Collaborative Divorce Works—and When It Doesn’t

Collaborative divorce works best when:

• Both parties value privacy and want to avoid public courtroom proceedings.
• Both parties are willing to disclose assets and income voluntarily and transparently.
• Both parties want to maintain a workable co-parenting relationship and minimize conflict for their children.
• The case involves complex financial issues (business valuations, executive compensation, multiple properties) that benefit from neutral expert analysis.
• Both parties are committed to problem-solving and can negotiate in good faith.

Collaborative divorce doesn’t work when:

• One party is hiding income, underreporting assets, or refusing to disclose financial information.
• There’s a significant power imbalance, a history of domestic violence, or coercive control.
• Immediate court intervention is necessary to secure temporary support, prevent asset dissipation, or protect children.
• One party refuses to negotiate in good faith or uses the collaborative process to delay or manipulate.

Before committing to collaborative divorce, consult with an attorney to assess whether the process fits your circumstances, your spouse’s willingness to cooperate, and the complexity of your case.

FAQ for Barrington Collaborative Divorce Lawyers

Is Collaborative Divorce Faster or Cheaper than Litigation in Illinois?

Collaborative divorce is typically faster and less expensive than litigation because it eliminates discovery disputes, motion practice, and trial preparation. However, it requires both parties to negotiate in good faith—if the process fails, both attorneys must withdraw, and parties incur additional costs hiring new counsel.

Can Collaborative Divorce Handle High-Net-Worth or Business Owner Cases?

Yes. Collaborative divorce is particularly effective for complex financial cases because financial neutrals provide impartial valuations and tax analysis, thereby eliminating competing expert opinions and reducing costs while ensuring that both parties have access to the same financial information.

What Happens if Collaborative Negotiations Fail?

If either party terminates the collaborative process and files contested motions, both collaborative attorneys must withdraw under the participation agreement. Both parties must hire new attorneys and proceed through traditional divorce litigation, losing the progress made during collaborative sessions.

Contact Manassa Law P.C. for a Consultation

Questions about collaborative divorce, participation agreements, or interest-based negotiation in Barrington? Call (847) 221-5511 to schedule a consultation with a Barrington collaborative divorce lawyer who understands Illinois family law, collaborative process requirements, and the team coordination that protects your interests and facilitates respectful resolution.

Manassa Law – Barrington Office

1000 Hart Rd 3rd Floor
Barrington, IL 60010
P: 847-996-9177