IACP blogs

Collaborative Divorce: Allied Professionals Strengthen the Team

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:41:59 GMT

By Michael P. Sampson

Socrates? Plato? Whoever said he believed he knew nothing may have inspired Collaborative divorce teams to turn to Collaborative Allied Professionals. These specialists know a lot.

For divorcing couples who choose the Collaborative Law Process , Collaborative Allied Professionals can provide information, insight, and experience. They strengthen collaborative teams. They educate couples and their lawyers, bring focus to blurry landscapes, and reveal and guide the Collaborative team towards solutions. But who are Allied Professionals? And what can they do?

Collaborative Allied Professionals Give Teams A Deep Bench

A strong collaborative team doesn’t just have good lawyers — it has depth. Allied professionals step in with specialized skills so the family can work through divorce with support that matches the complexity of their actual lives. Collaborative Allied Professionals bring diverse knowledge.

Each allied professional brings a different lens, whether it’s child development, financial realities, or long-term family dynamics. Together they create solutions that feel workable on paper and in real life.

When professionals from different fields sit at the same table, families get practical help that goes beyond dividing assets and writing agreements. That diverse knowledge isn't just nice to have. It allows the team and clients to see the full picture, beyond the legal pieces of the puzzle. The result is often smoother communication and outcomes that last. Here are just some Collaborative Allied Professionals who may benefit families.

Collaborative Divorce Coaches

Collaborative divorce coaches help clients manage intense emotions while staying constructive. Coaches help parents show up to the process effectively for their children and for the important conversations that will shape future parenting decisions, timesharing, and relationships as the children develop. Collaborative divorce coaches:

➤ Help a parent who is stressed, distrustful, angry, and feeling not heard communicate without becoming defensive.

➤ Work on improving communications between parents.

➤ Help parents manage stress and set goals.

➤ Give parents, often absorbed in their own emotions, insight to their child's needs.

➤ Help a spouse come to terms with the divorce, including budgeting, finding another home, and gaining confidence they’ll be okay.

Collaborative Child Specialists

Child specialists translate a child’s world for the adults making decisions. They bring clarity about developmental needs, emotional safety, and practical supports that protect the child during and after the divorce. They keep the focus on the kids without turning them into messengers or putting them in the middle. Collaborative Child Specialists:

➤ Bring the child's voice to the table.

➤ Inform the parents about the child’s best interests.

➤ Help the Collaborative team explore finding safe, quality, affordable childcare for a child with special needs. They can help families, teachers, therapists, and other interested figures in a child’s life developing an Individual Education Plan (IEP).

➤ For a child with severe needs for home care, educate the Collaborative team about respite support options for a parent bearing most of the day-to-day caretaking.

Collaborative Allied Professionals: Parenting Coordinators

Even after the divorce agreement is signed, parenting disagreements can keep resurfacing, especially for families with ongoing high conflict. Parenting coordinators, who bring experience with difficult co-parenting dynamics, provide a structured, child-centered way to work through those issues without parents returning to court.

Parenting Coordinators:

➤ Provide a child-focused, constructive process for resolving parents' disagreements.

➤ Assist parents in creating or implementing a Parenting Plan.

➤ Work with high-conflict parents on on communication skills.

➤ Educate and make recommendations to parents about options for resolving parenting issues.

Collaborative Allied Professionals: Child Counselors

Some children carry the stress of divorce quietly. Others act out. Child counselors give them a safe, confidential space to process what’s happening. They focus on the child’s emotional world, which may feel confusing, upended, and uncertain. They provide the child with coping tools.

When a child is struggling with anxiety, loyalty bind conflicts, or anger, a child counselor offers the child someone safe to talk to and targeted support. In conjunction with the Collaborative Process, child counselors:

➤ Offer tools for the child to manage stress, anxiety, and depression.

➤ Provide therapy for addiction issues.

➤ Work with a child on loyalty binds.

➤ Give an emotionally locked-up or angry child a safe, confidential place to open up.

Collaborative Allied Professionals: Financial Advisors

Financial advisors bring calm expertise to what often feels overwhelming. They help clients see realistic options and build confidence in their ability to manage money going forward.

For a spouse who hasn’t been handling the finances, financial advisors provide clear, judgment-free guidance. That helps a spouse to make informed choices about investments, cash flow, and long-term security. Financial advisors help divorcing clients understand their new reality, create budgets, and plan for life after divorce. Collaboratively trained financial advisors:

➤ Advise a spouse who hasn't handled finances in the marriage about investment options.

➤ Work with a spouse on budgeting and cash flow.

➤ Give a spouse a reality check and work on financial planning to achieve goals.

Collaborative Allied Professionals: Estate Planning Attorneys

When trusts, long-term care needs, or capacity questions are part of the picture, estate planning attorneys bring specialized knowledge that protects everyone’s interests.

Estate planning professionals help the team and spouses understand the tax and legal consequences of different settlement options, including planning for what comes after the divorce. They're skilled at addressing complex asset structures and future care needs, so the collaborative agreement doesn’t create minefields that explode down the road.

Estate planning collaborative professionals can guide the team about:

➤ Developing a Life Care Plan including for long-term care.

➤ Determining if conducting a neurologic evaluation to determine capacity is needed.

➤ Exploring distributions from or termination or modification of a trust.

➤ Estate and gift tax consequences of settlement options.

➤ Post-divorce estate planning.

Collaborative Allied Professionals: Special Needs Experts

Parents raising a child with special needs carry special responsibilities. Special needs experts educate the collaborative team about complex systems — education, benefits, therapies, and long-term planning — so the parents can make decisions that support their child’s ongoing progress and security.

Expert special needs professionals trained in the Collaborative Process can help with:

➤ Transition of exceptional students with disabilities from minor children to adults.

➤ Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and informed consent requirements to allow them to continue participating in educational decisions.

➤ Promoting a special need child's educational progress and developing essential skills to pursue higher education goals or employment, inform parents about collaboration between public school personnel and private instructional personnel, including:

• Speech-language pathologists

• Occupational therapists

• Physical therapists

• Psychologists

• Clinical social workers

• Behavior analyst service providers

➤ Drafting Special Needs Trusts

➤ Estate planning and guardianship options for child or adult dependents.

➤ Educating the team about federal and state benefits, resources, and support systems available for children with special needs.

Collaborative Allied Professionals: Realtors, Appraisers, Divorce Lending Experts

"What should we do with the family home?" is often one of the most emotional and financially important questions in a divorce. Collaboratively trained realtors, appraisers, divorce lending experts, and other professionals provide clear data and realistic options.

They help the team understand current market values, timing considerations, refinancing possibilities and traps for the unwary, and what alternative housing might actually cost.

Real estate and lending experts bring clarity to housing questions, including questions non-expert team members don't even know to ask. Such questions can stall progress or, worse, create nightmares after well-intended spouses reach an agreement they believe will work, only to find out later it won't work. Allied professionals with expertise in real estate issues can help:

➤ Conduct an appraisal or comparative market analysis of real properties.

➤ Develop options on timing of a sale of the marital home.

➤ Explore alternative housing available and project realistic costs.

➤ Advise about creditworthiness, qualification, requirements, and timing for refinancing of marital residence.

Collaborative Allied Professionals: Vocational Experts

Vocational experts evaluate a spouse's skills, survey the job market, and factor in real-life constraints like childcare so the spouses can make informed decisions about support and future income. When a spouse has been out of the workforce, vocational experts help assess realistic earning potential and create a practical plan for moving toward financial independence and self-sufficiency.

Collaboratively trained vocational experts can:

➤ Conduct a vocational evaluation of a spouse who's been a stay-at-home parent.

➤ Survey jobs in a geographic area available to a spouse to explore income potential.

➤ Develop a vocational plan for a spouse and projected costs, income growth, timing, and child care constraints.

Collaborative Allied Professionals: Retirement Valuation Experts and Actuaries

Valuing the marital portion of a retirement plan accurately may require specialized expertise. Retirement valuation experts and actuaries provide the technical clarity needed when complex retirement assets are on the line, reducing the chance of costly mistakes later.

Retirement experts can:

➤ Help the collaborative team understand the marital value of retirement plans as the team explores options for acceptable, properly documented divorce settlements.

➤ Value the marital part of retirement plan before entry of Qualified Domestic Relations Order.

Collaborative Allied Professionals: Stock Options Experts

Stock options — including unvested ones — can be complicated to value and divide in divorce. Stock options experts help the team understand current value, future vesting, and tax implications and consequences.

Stock options experts:

➤ Can calculate the marital portion of vested and unvested stock options.

➤ Work through practical details handling stock options.

➤ Determine a coverture fraction and marital part of vested and unvested stock options and working on options corresponding with future vesting, cash flow, and tax consequences.

Collaborative Allied Professionals: Insurance Experts

Financial commitments a spouse may undertake in a divorce may need protection.

Allied insurance experts:

➤ Help identify options that can secure child support, alimony, or other obligations.

➤ Explore practical ways to use insurance so both spouses feel more secure about the long-term enforceability of the agreement.

Collaborative Allied Professionals: Immigration Lawyers

Immigration lawyers evaluate how the divorce may affect a spouse's immigration goals. They help identify the most realistic paths forward while the collaborative process is underway. Collaboratively trained immigration experts add expertise when legal status and family changes intersect, or may conflict.

Immigration lawyers can help the collaborative team:

➤ Work through concerns of a party not yet a permanent resident in the US about how a divorce may affect efforts to immigrate to the US.

➤ Evaluate risks, issues, and practical steps to achieve a spouse's immigration goals.

Collaborative Allied Professionals: Religious Experts

For spouses whose faith is an important part of their identity, religious experts help address the spiritual and procedural steps that matter deeply to them. Religious experts bring knowledge to faith-based aspects of divorce that can otherwise create additional stress or delay for the client and their community.

Among other things, religious experts help with:

➤ Obtaining a get (or gett) under Jewish law.

➤ Obtaining an annulment from the Catholic church.

➤ Working with elders to obtain approval of divorce.

Assemble the Team! Include Collaborative Allied Professionals.

When staffing your Collaborative Divorce team, include experienced Allied Professionals early in the Collaborative Process. Doing so expands, strengthens, and deepens the professional team's ability to serve them.

When we round out teams with varied professional skills to fit clients' needs, we help clients resolve issues in an informed, powerful way.

Spreading The Collaborative Practice Way - in Bhutan

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:46:44 GMT

By Gloria James-Civetta

Gloria James-Civetta recently visited the Bhutan ADR Centre, where she presented on the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes available in Singapore. She also introduced attendees to the Collaborative Practice model, sharing its principles and benefits with an engaged audience.

To support continued learning, Gloria distributed Collaborative Practice resources, including informational materials and Collaborative cups. The visit was well received, and she has been invited to return to share more about Collaborative Practice.

Call for Interest Letter – 2027 Collaborative Practice International Conference

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 01:00:11 GMT

IACP seeks partner for an international conference in 2027

IACP seeks to partner with an organization to host an international Collaborative Practice conference in 2027 outside of the United States or Canada.

If you are a member of IACP and you and your organization is interested in hosting a conference with IACP, please submit an interest letter by 15 August 2026 . Email to IACP Executive Director, K. Malaika Walton .

In the partnership, IACP is willing to provide staff administrative support for conference registration and marketing. IACP volunteers would be willing to work closely with the local host on the conference content. IACP would ask that the local host be responsible for locating and contracting the venue and on-site planning and logistics.

Interested organizations should submit an Interest Letter of no more than 2 pages that includes the information listed below:

Proposed Host City, and the benefits of hosting an international Collaborative Practice conference in that location.
Proposed Dates. Typically, IACP’s conference has been held in October, but IACP will be flexible based on the local situation.
Potential Meeting Theme and possible Keynote/Plenary Speakers
Members of the Organizing Committee
Possible venues within the Host City for the meeting (for example, a Conference Center or University)
Anticipated venue capacity for attendees
Plans (if any) for joint meetings with other organizations, societies, associations, etc… that have overlapping interests with Collaborative Practice.
Possible sponsorship for the meeting (e.g. financial support from any organizations, city/state/country governments, etc.). Creative approaches to seeking sponsorship, especially local organizations is highly encouraged.
NOTE: Only the shortlisted destinations will participate in a financial evaluation. A budget is NOT required at this stage.

IACP requests Interest Letters by 15 August 2026 . The selection results will be sent to the e-mail addresses from which bids are received. Shortlisted candidates will also receive instructions for providing additional information.

Please email the Interest Letter to K. Malaika Walton, IACP Executive Director

IACP intends to have an agreement with a partner signed by 30 September 2026, and to announce the 2027 Conference during the 2026 Networking and Educational Forum (29 October – 1 November).

Getting to Know our Global Partners

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:59:53 GMT

By Rajashree Suppiah, IACP President

Many IACP members are familiar with our features of individual membership in IACP, such as education, discounted registration for Forum, access to the Collaborative Review, and being part of a global professional community. What may be less visible is the value that IACP Global Partnership brings to the equation.

Today, IACP has 16 Global Partners across different regions of the world. Established in 2018, the initiative brings together organizations committed to growing Collaborative Practice through the sharing of resources, the exchange of ideas, and common goals and values. Global Partnership creates connections and opportunities not just between individual professionals, but between entire practice groups and organizations.

One of the greatest benefits of Global Partnership is that organizations do not have to work isolation. For example, when the Malaysian Collaborative Practice Group explored ways to make Collaborative Practice more accessible to Malaysia's Chinese-speaking community, we discovered that the Hong Kong Collaborative Practice Group had already undertaken similar work and was willing to share its experience and resources. There is tremendous value in learning from those who have already travelled the path and paved the way. Global Partnership is about making collaboration easier. Whether through education,
conferences, research initiatives, joint programs, or the sharing of best practices, partners can connect and work together because the relationships and communication channels are already in place under the umbrella of IACP.

One of the joys of Global Partnership is discovering the wonderful work being undertaken by our partner organizations around the world. A recent example is the European Network of Collaborative Practice, (ENCP), which hosted a highly successful conference in Switzerland that brought together participants from across Europe. They are doing inspiring work within their own regions, and by connecting with them we create opportunities to learn, exchange ideas, build relationships, and participate in initiatives that we might otherwise never have the chance to experience.

The key takeaway is that when you engage with an IACP Global Partner, you engage with a community of peers connected by shared professional values and a common commitment to strengthening Collaborative Practice. This creates opportunities to collaborate on cross-border initiatives, exchange ideas, share solutions, and learn from organizations facing similar challenges around the world. I encourage members to explore IACP's Global Partners , and perhaps discover what can be achieved when you or your practice group connects not only locally, but globally.

Thoughts on the flight home from the Basel conference on Collaborative Practice

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 20:28:09 GMT

Reflection from William Hogg LL.M: I am writing this on the flight back to London, which probably explains the slightly scattered nature of what follows. I have just spent three days in Basel and I am still letting it all sink in.

I had been looking forward to this conference for a long time. It did not disappoint.

Basel was a wonderful setting, and the programme gave us a lot to think about. There were moments where the quality of discussion really stood out, not because it felt overly polished, but because people were speaking from experience.

From 4th to 6th June, I joined professionals from across Europe for a conference on ethical challenges in Collaborative Law and Practice, hosted by Collaborative Law & Practice Switzerland together with the European Network for Collaborative Practice . As a board member of the ENCP, and of the Family Mediators Association here in the UK, this is a community I have been part of and championed for years. Being in Basel with so many of its members in person was a genuine pleasure.

Lawyers, mediators, financial advisers and coaches. People who spend their working lives with families at the worst moments those families will ever face.

There was something unusual about being in a room like that. Everyone seemed to be there for the same reason, and it was not really a commercial one. They wanted to know how to do this work better. How to cause less damage. How to help people get through separation with a bit more of their dignity intact.

That is what I have come away thinking about most.

We tend to talk about family law in technical language. Disclosure, negotiation, orders, hearings, outcomes. All of it matters and none of it is going away. But underneath every one of those words is a person who is frightened, grieving, or watching a future they had planned for simply dissolve. Collaborative Practice starts from that fact rather than working around it. It asks us to care about how someone arrives at the answer, not only what the answer is.

For anyone who has not come across it, Collaborative Law is a structured way of resolving family matters without going to court. The clients and their advisers agree to work things out around a table. It relies on honesty, good preparation, and a genuine willingness to solve the problem instead of trying to win.

That idea is not new. What felt new in Basel was how hard people are now pushing on the detail. How do you build a proper team around a client. How do you spot a power imbalance before it does harm rather than after. How do you let a child's voice into the process without putting a child in the middle of it. How do you adapt when the person across the table is anxious, neurodiverse, or so overwhelmed they can barely take in what is being said.

These are not seminar questions. They are the things that actually decide whether a case goes well or badly.

The ethics theme ran through all of it, and rightly so. In Collaborative work ethics are not a footnote. They are the foundation. If one person does not feel safe enough to speak honestly, the process has already failed, however civilised it looks from the outside. If the advisers lose sight of who they are really there to serve, the trust that holds everything together starts to go. A room can be perfectly polite and still be deeply unfair.

The same point kept coming back in different sessions. Goodwill on its own is not enough. You need skill, you need structure, and you need to keep questioning yourself. You have to be confident enough to give your client proper advice, and disciplined enough not to throw petrol on the conflict while you do it. You have to ask your client to be open, while accepting that openness is only possible if you have built the conditions for it.

That is the part I find genuinely exciting. The principles are old. The way the ENCP and its members are developing them across Europe feels very much alive. There is a real appetite to keep improving, to borrow from how other jurisdictions do things, and to keep asking the uncomfortable question of whether the process is actually helping the families who use it.

I came away energised and proud to be part of this community.

A special mention to some of the standout contributions over the three days. Shireen B. Meistrich from the US, was excellent, as were lawyers Marc Sheridan and Jacinta Gallant , and Alicia Farran of Our FamilyWizard in the UK. Federica Marabini , Michela Tonini and Sofia Tremolada gave a superb group presentation as a Collaborative team from Italy, and Swiss speakers Titus Thoma and Stefanie Santschi rounded things off beautifully. Thank you all. You are a large part of what made the three days so worthwhile.

One thing I keep returning to is that Collaborative work refuses the assumption that separation has to be a fight. Plenty of cases do need a courtroom. Some clients need the protection that only a court can give, and I would never pretend otherwise. Collaborative Practice is not for everyone, and anyone who sells it as a cure for everything is overselling it.

But for the right people it can change everything. It gives them somewhere to be supported without being backed into a corner. It lets the hard conversations happen with someone in the room to guide them. It nudges everyone to look past the argument in front of them and towards the life the family still has to live.

That matters most when there are children. Two people might stop being a couple and still have to spend the next twenty years being parents together. How the legal process is handled can make that future a little easier or a good deal harder.

So, I am grateful to the organisers for three genuinely valuable days, and reassured that there is a serious, thoughtful community of people across Europe who care deeply about getting this right.

I am not bringing home one tidy lesson. It is more a reminder. Family law can keep evolving. An established process can still feel fresh when people apply it with imagination and a bit of care. And when professionals work together properly, with integrity and real concern for the person in the middle of it, the client is the one who benefits.

That is how we try to think about family law at Laurus . The question is never simply what the legal route is. It is what the right route is for this client, this family and this particular moment in their life.

Basel was a good reminder of why that question is the one that matters.

The Value of Reflection in Collaborative Practice

Wed, 27 May 2026 14:49:43 GMT

By Rajashree Suppiah, IACP President

In May 2026, it was a privilege to attend the global virtual event, Inside the Mind of Pauline Tesler, a deeply reflective and human conversation with one of the founding voices of the Collaborative Practice movement. That it was hosted by the Instituto Brasileiro de Práticas Colaborativas and the Integrative Law Institute was another significant reminder of how far Collaborative Practice has extended across jurisdictions and communities.

Hearing Pauline Tesler reflect on her own journey into law, the early days of the “Green Group” a circle of the early pioneers of Collaborative Practice, her role as the first President of the IACP, and her “aha” moment around Stu Webb’s disqualification clause, was a powerful reminder of why this movement took root: to keep lawyers fully present in the process of resolution, rather than pulled back into litigation.

What stayed with me most is how simply Pauline expressed what the core skills of Collaborative Practice truly are. The challenge is not technical, it is relational. It is about getting ourselves out of the way so we can truly function as a team addressing human conflict, not just a legal dispute.

When lawyers learn to share the sandbox, a phrase I know is close to her heart, when mental health professionals are given space to fully contribute, and when financial neutrals engage early so we are aligned from the outset, we become something greater than individual roles. We become the container that holds a complex, often dysfunctional system.

And in that space, the real learning happens, through reflection, and through the honest harvesting of what worked and what did not.

This session was a meaningful reminder of the values and foundations that continue to guide our work in Collaborative Practice and conflict resolution. I look forward to meeting these remarkable pioneers and guiding voices at Forum 2026 in Vancouver .

The Expanding Value of Divorce Coaching: A Collaborative Lens on Clarity, Process, and Reinvention

Sun, 03 May 2026 00:09:16 GMT

By Heather Theisen-Gandara

I am the founder of Reignite Collective, which provides divorce recovery coaching for women 40+, in Houston, Texas and a new member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP). My path into this field is both professional and personal, grounded in more than two decades of leading teams in international diplomacy, with a focus on the MENA region and Latin America. My own experience navigating divorce after a 24-year marriage further shaped my commitment to this work. Today, I support women globally in both English and Spanish, with a focus on healing, building self-trust, and intentional life reinvention.

While I have come to specialize in recovery and midlife transformation, I find that divorce coaching adds value in three key areas within the broader ecosystem of divorce support.

1. Creating Space for Pre-Decisional Clarity

Many clients enter the divorce process without full internal alignment. They may be influenced by urgency, external pressure, or emotional overwhelm. Coaching offers a structured, non-directive space to explore the decision itself, separate from legal strategy or therapeutic processing.

When clients engage in this level of reflection early, they often move forward, whether toward divorce or reconciliation, with greater ownership and reduced reactivity. For professionals across disciplines, this can translate into more focused communication, clearer priorities, and more stable decision-making throughout the process.

2. Strengthening the Collaborative Model

Divorce outcomes are strongest when approached through a coordinated, multidisciplinary lens. Coaches serve as a consistent point of integration, helping clients prepare for meetings, organize their thoughts, and stay anchored in their long-term goals.

This role does not replace legal, financial, or clinical expertise. It supports those efforts by reducing fragmentation on the client side. When clients feel more regulated and prepared, professionals often experience more productive engagements, fewer reactive pivots, and increased efficiency in moving matters forward.

3. Extending Support into Post-Divorce Reinvention

In general, Collaborative professionals are engaged intensively during the divorce itself. However, clients' needs continue well beyond the final agreement. In many cases, this is where deeper identity work begins.

Coaching can provide continuity beyond the legal and financial resolution, supporting clients as they redefine their lives with intention. This is really where my work comes in. This often includes redefining the client's role as head of household, embarking on a wellness journey, implementing self-care routines, calming the nervous system, and even connecting more with the "glow-up side" in style and wellness.

From a systems perspective, this extended support can contribute to more sustainable long-term outcomes, as clients are better equipped to integrate the changes they have worked through.

Divorce coaching, at its best, is about helping clients access their own clarity and voice with greater consistency, which I feel is often misunderstood outside of the collaborative divorce process itself.

Author website: https://www.reignitecollective.com/

Author Social Media HANDLES: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertheisen-gandara AND @HeatherGlowsAgain on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook

From One Flutter to a Global Movement

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:33:02 GMT

By Rajashree Suppiah

I have always been drawn to the theory of the Butterfly Effect, that idea that a butterfly fluttering its wings in one part of the world could cause a tornado in another. I have always found it deeply empowering, the sense that every action we take has an effect, whether to ourselves or to others.

For Collaborative Practice, that flutter of butterfly wings first took place somewhere in the state of Minnesota, when one man decided that family practice needed to be done in a more compassionate way, with decency and which looked out for the well-being of all, including the professionals involved. That flutter was then carried across various parts of America, and one day, our organization, the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, came into being.

That same flutter reached the shores of Malaysia almost 14 years ago, when a few thoughtful lawyers sat in a conference and heard a sharing about Collaborative Practice for family disputes. That seed of an idea stayed with them for a decade. Then, one day, a training was organized for Collaborative Practice to be taught to our practitioners, making us among the pioneers of Collaborative Practice in Malaysia.

The effect did not stop there. It moved us towards becoming members of the IACP, and through that, we were exposed to the richness, growth, and development of Collaborative Practice in other parts of the world. What began as membership soon deepened into being part of the IACP community through volunteering, contributing and involvement in IACP committees.

From there came my privilege and honor of serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the IACP, alongside truly remarkable individuals, each a leader, each willing to give their time, effort, and heart to growing Collaborative Practice. And this year, it is a complete honor, and one I accept with humility, to take on the mantle of leadership and to lead this extraordinary organization and its people.

The fluttering of those butterfly wings, all of it, began with one small movement in one corner of the world. It serves as a powerful reminder that every one of us can do good, to cause change and to make a difference. No matter how small the action, there will be a reaction. Something will grow, develop, and emerge from it. That, to me, is profoundly empowering.

As we move forward in living up to the vision and mission of the IACP together, we continue to build a community that fosters connection. I can say that nothing in my life journey so far has impacted me as deeply as being part of this organization and this truly global community.

In this inaugural message, I share my story to remind all of us that every step we take brings us closer to fulfilling the vision we all share, that all dispute resolution is collaborative, compassionate, and constructive and of the hope of Collaborative Practice spreading its wings across the world.

Collaborative Practice: From a Root Note to a Movement

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 03:05:27 GMT

Author Michael P. Sampson

Three and a half decades ago, Stu Webb sounded a note that sent hearts racing. People who heard him developed, harmonized, and amplified his first note. Creative, smart, driven, humble leaders, first in California, then well beyond, added depth and direction to a movement that became Collaborative Practice.

The pulsing Collaborative Practice movement has steadily grown since the 1990s. As the music has evolved, it has inspired a flock that itself has inspired others to join the current – thousands worldwide, of all shapes and colors. They play not in a cacophony, but in a textured orchestra. They welcome new voices, players, variations, and ideas into Collaborative Practice.

This article is part of Florida Collaborative Quarterly — Issue 001, a publication of the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals exploring the development and practice of Collaborative Law and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The walls of the concert halls, connected in a global network, are flexible. They channel sound, energy, and creativity as the melodies fill the halls, testing their walls. Yet the guiding principles the first Collaborative players established support the music as it becomes more layered and expands to touch more people.

From the first notes, to chords, to an anthem of hope, Collaborative Practice keeps swelling. The people whose needs Collaborative Practice and its practitioners serve drive them to keep practicing, playing, and improving.

The Chord Makers: Why Not California…Why Not the US…Why Not the World?

Among the first Collaborative Practice chord makers were Pauline Tesler, Peggy Thompson, Nancy Ross, Jennifer Jackson, and other Californian professionals. After they picked up Stu Webb's signal, they began to develop Collaborative divorce in San Francisco and the Bay Area in the early 1990s. Not short on ambition or ideas, and prepared to persevere, they let their ideas develop into big ideas.

If Stu Webb is the Bach of Collaborative Practice, Pauline Tesler is its Mozart. In her interview in 2007 with her colleague, Jennifer Jackson, a founding International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) board member and coeditor with Tesler of the voice of the IACP – its Collaborative Review – Jackson describes the early expansion of Collaborative Practice:

Pauline H. Tesler, Making a Difference: Jennifer Jackson Helped Shape and Launch IACP , IACP Collaborative Review. Vol. 9, Issue 1 (Spring 2007) (emphasis added).

Jamming in Chicago Like It's 1999

Collaborative leaders met in Chicago in 1999. Jennifer Jackson describes the widening of the vision of Collaborative Practice from “American” to “International” after that meeting:

Pauline H. Tesler, Making a Difference: Jennifer Jackson Helped Shape and Launch IACP , IACP Collaborative Review. Vol. 9, Issue 1 (Spring 2007).

The Music Takes Root

The first note maker, Stu Webb, said:

"…Collaborative Law is reinvented wherever it takes root.

And that’s the way it should be."

IACP, Collaborative Review , Vol. 2, No. 3 (Fall 2001).

The following table details the forward march of Collaborative Practice. "UCLA/R" refers to the Uniform Collaborative Law Act and Rule and jurisdictions that adopted it as the music unfolded.

Date Range

Key Events

1990 – 1994

- Stu Webb writes a February 14, 1990 letter to Judge Sandy Keith introducing Collaborative Law with disqualification commitment to not go to court if settlement efforts are unsuccessful.

- Pauline Tesler reads a 1992 article about a Stu Webb seminar on Collaborative Law.

- Stu Webb shares ideas about Collaborative Law with Pauline Tesler and Forrest "Woody" Mosten .

- Development of Collaborative Divorce in California (1992-1993) by Pauline Tesler, Peggy Thompson , Nancy Ross , Jennifer Jackson , and others, merging mental health and legal expertise.

1995 – 1999

- California collaborative group (1997-1998) meets monthly, develops an interdisciplinary model with professionals including Tesler, Thompson, Ross, Jackson.

- AVM (Anwaltliche Vereinigung für Mediation und kooperatives Verhandeln) is founded in Austria to promote mediation and cooperative negotiation, including Collaborative Practice elements in the legal profession (1997).

- Pauline Tesler conducts a marketing blitz : sends materials to professionals, writes articles about Collaborative Practice, including in the American Journal of Family Law and Psychology, Public Policy, and Law (1998-1999).

- The California collaborative group forms the American Institute of Collaborative Professionals (AICP) (1999).

- AICP transitions to International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) after a Chicago meeting (1999).

- Vancouver Collaborative Divorce Group is established (1999).

- First issue of the AICP's Collaborative Quarterly , which becomes the IACP's Collaborative Review , hits the press; co-editors Pauline Tesler and Peggy Thompson (March 1999).

2000 – 2004

- Louisiana interdisciplinary collaborative training project for low-income families is developed by Judge Ross Foote with Peggy Thompson and Nancy Ross (2002).

- Think tank led by Peggy Thompson and A. Rodney Nurse works on a systems approach and interdisciplinary model for high-conflict families (October 2002).

- Quebec Collaborative Law Group is established (October 2002).

- Ontario Association of Collaborative Professionals is established (2002).

- San Francisco County, California Superior Court Local Rules establishes a Collaborative Law department (2003).

- Various British Columbia and Ontario groups like Collaborative Practice Durham, Collaborative Practice Hamilton Halton, Kingston Collaborative Family Law begin (2003).

- Switzerland's CLP Schweiz (cooperatives verhandein) is established (2003).

- Pauline H. Tesler writes Collaborative Law: Achieving Effective Resolution in Divorce Without Litigation , American Bar Association, Section of Family Law (2003).

- IACP holds a public education meeting in Chicago to expand the use of Collaborative Practice around the world (October 2003).

- Sheila M. Gutterman writes Collaborative Law: A New Model for Dispute Resolution , Bradford Publishing Company (2004).

- Julie Macfarlane writes Experiences of Collaborative Law: Preliminary Results from the Collaborative Lawyering Research Project , J. Disp. Resolution 179 (2004).

- Nancy J. Cameron writes Second Edition of Collaborative Practice: Deepening the Dialogue (2014).

- Pauline Tesler conducts a collaborative training for Scottish practitioners to bring Collaborative Practice to Scotland (2004).

- Global Collaborative Law Council (formerly the Texas Collaborative Law Council) is established to focus on Collaborative Practice for resolving civil disputes (2004).

- Collaborative Divorce Toronto and York Collaborative Practice are established (2004).

- IACP approves its tagline ""Collaborative Practice: Resolving Disputes Respectfully." (January 2004).

2005 – 2009

- IACP conducts Professional Practice Survey to collect data from 933 collaborative cases (2005).

- Collaborative groups form: Consensus Collaboration Scotland , Association of Collaborative Practitioners ( Ireland ) , Collaborative Practice Simcoe County , Grey-Bruce , Collaborative Family Law London & Middlesex ( Ontario ) , Collaborative Professionals (NSW) Inc. ( New South Wales, Australia ) , Dublin Practice Group ( Ireland ) (2005).

- Pauline H. Tessler & Peggy Thompson write Collaborative Divorce: The Revolutionary Way to Restructure Your Family, Resolve Legal Issues, and Move On With Your Life (2006).

- Stu Webb and Ron Ousky write The Collaborative Way to Divorce: “The Revolutionary Method that Results in Less Stress, Lower Costs and Happier Kids, Without Going to Court , Harper Collins (2006).

- Collaborative groups form: Ordre des Barreaux Francophones et Germanophone ( Belgium ) ; Queensland Association ; Bermuda Alliance (2006).

- IACP focuses on research and developing survey instruments to collect data on collaborative matters (2006).

- A Drafting Committee of the Uniform Law Commission beings work on drafting the Uniform Collaborative Law Act (2007).

- IACP develops a client survey (2007).

- First CP (Cooperative Praxis) seminar in Germany takes place (August 2007).

- Collaborative Practice Manitoba , Collaborative Divorce Ottawa are established (2008).

- Association of Collaborative Family Professionals ( Edmonton ) is established (2008).

- Collaborative Divorce Association Holland is established (2008).

- Collaborative Practice expands focus on including allied professionals (collateral services) on Collaborative teams.

- Collaborative leaders increasingly emphasize and write about neuroscience in Collaborative Practice (2008-2009).

- Second Edition of Pauline H. Tesler's Collaborative Law: Achieving Effective Resolution in Divorce Without Litigation , American Bar Association, Section of Family Law is published (2009).

- Forrest S. Mosten writes Collaborative Divorce Handbook: Effectively Helping Divorcing Families Without Going to Court , Jossey Bass (2009).

- German Association for Cooperative Practice ( DVCP) (February 2008) and Cooperative Praxis München (May 2008) are established.

- Association Française des Praticiens du Droit Collaboratif (AFPDC) is established in France (May 2009).

- Vereniging van Collaborative Professionals ( Netherlands ) is established (2009).

- Central Sydney Collaborative Forum ( Australia ) is formed (2009).

2010 – 2014

- Two associations are established to spread Collaborative Practice in Italy : Instituto Italiano di Diritto Collaborativo (IICL) [Italian Institute of Collaborative Law] ( Rome ) and the Associazione Italiana degli Avvocati di Diritto Collaborativo (AIADC) [Italian Association of Collaborative Law Attorneys] ( Milan ) (2010).

- Collaborative Practice Canberra ( Australia ) is established (2010).

- South Dublin Collaborative Lawyers is established (2010).

- IACP expands focus on research and data (2010).

- Collaborative Practice Niagara (Ontario, Canada) is established (2011).

- Collaborative Resolution New Zealand is established (2011).

- IACP adopts a strategic plan and defines "Collaborative Practice" (2011).

- Hong Kong Collaborative Practice Group is established (February 2011).

- British Columbia Collaborative Roster Society is established (2012).

- Collaborative training takes place at the European Conference in Edinburgh (2012).

- IACP publishes the research results from its Professional Practice Survey from October 16, 2006 through July 6, 2010 (April 2012).

- Abogados Colaborativos de Familia ( Spain ) is established (2013).

- Singapore Mediation Centre is established and the first successful Collaborative family law case is completed (2013).

- IACP forms its Inaugural Leadership Academy (2013).

- European Network for Collaborative Professionals (ENCP) is formed (2014).

- IACP expands its focus to address access to Collaborative Practice , lo bono and pro bono models, and reaching diverse, underserved populations.

- Nancy J. Cameron writes Second Edition of Collaborative Practice: Deepening the Dialogue (2014).

- IACP conducts second client study , to gather data about client experiences and satisfaction from a diverse sample of divorced individuals using different process options, including Collaborative divorce (2014).

- The Collaborative Family Law Clinic (C-LAW) at Loyola Law School is started as a pilot program within the Loyola Center for Conflict Resolution (LCCR). It trains students in family law and the collaborative process in partnership with the Los Angeles Collaborative Family Law Association (2014).

- Barry University School of Law starts a Pro Bono Collaborative Family Law Clinic , a model for law students to handle divorce cases using Collaborative Practice, under the supervision of Collaborative Professionals, for actual clients (2014).

- Instituto Brasileiro de Práticas Colaborativas (IBPC) ( Brasil ) is established (2014).

- UCLA/R adoptions: Utah (May 11, 2010), Texas (September 1, 2011), DC (May 9, 2012), Hawaii (July 1, 2012), Nevada (January 1, 2013), Ohio (March 22, 2013), Washington (July 28, 2013), Alabama (January 1, 2014), Maryland (October 2014), Michigan (December 8, 2014), New Jersey (December 9, 2014).

2015 – 2019

- Collaborative Professionals of Saskatchewan is established (2015).

- Peel Halton Collaborative and Speed River Collaborative ( Ontario ) are established (2015).

- Adelaide Collaborative Practice Group is established (2015).

- Okanagan Collaborative Family Law Group is established (2016).

- Brant Haldimand Norfolk Collaborative Family Law Group is established (2016).

- Australian Association of Collaborative Professionals established (2016).

- North Brisbane Collaborative Practice Group is established (2016).

- Asociación de Derecho Colaborativo de Euskadi ( Basque Country, Spain ) is established (2017).

- First Brazilian Congress of Collaborative Practices (2017).

- Quinte Collaborative Divorce and Kawartha Collaborative Practice are established (2017).

- Victorian Association of Collaborative Professionals is established (2017).

- Third Edition of Pauline H. Tesler, Collaborative Law: Achieving Effective Resolution in Divorce Without Litigation , American Bar Association, Section of Family Law is published (2017).

- Associació Catalana De Dret Col·laboratiu (Collaborative Law Catalan Association) ( Spain ) established (September 21, 2017).

- Grupo Panameño de Practicas Colaborativas ( Panama ) is established (2018).

- Collaborative Professionals of Canada is formed (April 28, 2019).

- Forrest S. Mosten and Adam B. Cordover edit and the American Bar Association Section on Family Law publish Building a Successful Collaborative Family Law Practice (2019).

- UCLA/R adoptions: Montana (October 1, 2015), Arizona (January 1, 2016), North Dakota (March 1, 2016), Florida (July 1, 2016 and eff. July 1, 2017 rules), New Mexico (December 31, 2017), Illinois (January 1, 2018), Pennsylvania (August 27, 2018), Tennessee (April 1, 2019).

2020 – present

- Academia Latinoamericana de Práctica Colaborativa) ( ALdeCO) ( Argentina ) is established (2020).

- Collaborative Practice Sudbury is established (2020).

- Malaysian Collaborative Practice Group is formed (March 18, 2021).

- IACP is nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize (2022)

- UCLA/R adoptions: North Carolina (October 1, 2020), Virginia (July 1, 2021), New Hampshire (October 9, 2021), Colorado (January 1, 2022), Kentucky (July 15, 2024), Louisiana (August 1, 2024), Mississippi (August 26, 2024), Connecticut (October 1, 2025), Oklahoma (January 1, 2026).

Date Range	Key Events
1990 – 1994	- Stu Webb writes a February 14, 1990 letter to Judge Sandy Keith introducing Collaborative Law with disqualification commitment to not go to court if settlement efforts are unsuccessful. - Pauline Tesler reads a 1992 article about a Stu Webb seminar on Collaborative Law. - Stu Webb shares ideas about Collaborative Law with Pauline Tesler and Forrest "Woody" Mosten . - Development of Collaborative Divorce in California (1992-1993) by Pauline Tesler, Peggy Thompson , Nancy Ross , Jennifer Jackson , and others, merging mental health and legal expertise.
1995 – 1999	- California collaborative group (1997-1998) meets monthly, develops an interdisciplinary model with professionals including Tesler, Thompson, Ross, Jackson. - AVM (Anwaltliche Vereinigung für Mediation und kooperatives Verhandeln) is founded in Austria to promote mediation and cooperative negotiation, including Collaborative Practice elements in the legal profession (1997). - Pauline Tesler conducts a marketing blitz : sends materials to professionals, writes articles about Collaborative Practice, including in the American Journal of Family Law and Psychology, Public Policy, and Law (1998-1999). - The California collaborative group forms the American Institute of Collaborative Professionals (AICP) (1999). - AICP transitions to International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) after a Chicago meeting (1999). - Vancouver Collaborative Divorce Group is established (1999). - First issue of the AICP's Collaborative Quarterly , which becomes the IACP's *Collaborative Review* , hits the press; co-editors Pauline Tesler and Peggy Thompson (March 1999).
2000 – 2004	- Louisiana interdisciplinary collaborative training project for low-income families is developed by Judge Ross Foote with Peggy Thompson and Nancy Ross (2002). - Think tank led by Peggy Thompson and A. Rodney Nurse works on a systems approach and interdisciplinary model for high-conflict families (October 2002). - Quebec Collaborative Law Group is established (October 2002). - Ontario Association of Collaborative Professionals is established (2002). - San Francisco County, California Superior Court Local Rules establishes a Collaborative Law department (2003). - Various British Columbia and Ontario groups like Collaborative Practice Durham, Collaborative Practice Hamilton Halton, Kingston Collaborative Family Law begin (2003). - Switzerland's CLP Schweiz (cooperatives verhandein) is established (2003). - Pauline H. Tesler writes Collaborative Law: Achieving Effective Resolution in Divorce Without Litigation , American Bar Association, Section of Family Law (2003). - IACP holds a public education meeting in Chicago to expand the use of Collaborative Practice around the world (October 2003). - Sheila M. Gutterman writes Collaborative Law: A New Model for Dispute Resolution , Bradford Publishing Company (2004). - Julie Macfarlane writes Experiences of Collaborative Law: Preliminary Results from the Collaborative Lawyering Research Project , J. Disp. Resolution 179 (2004). - Nancy J. Cameron writes Second Edition of Collaborative Practice: Deepening the Dialogue (2014). - Pauline Tesler conducts a collaborative training for Scottish practitioners to bring Collaborative Practice to Scotland (2004). - Global Collaborative Law Council (formerly the Texas Collaborative Law Council) is established to focus on Collaborative Practice for resolving civil disputes (2004). - Collaborative Divorce Toronto and York Collaborative Practice are established (2004). - IACP approves its tagline ""Collaborative Practice: Resolving Disputes Respectfully." (January 2004).
2005 – 2009	- IACP conducts Professional Practice Survey to collect data from 933 collaborative cases (2005). - Collaborative groups form: Consensus Collaboration Scotland , Association of Collaborative Practitioners ( Ireland ) , Collaborative Practice Simcoe County , Grey-Bruce , Collaborative Family Law London & Middlesex ( Ontario ) , Collaborative Professionals (NSW) Inc. ( New South Wales, Australia ) , Dublin Practice Group ( Ireland ) (2005). - Pauline H. Tessler & Peggy Thompson write Collaborative Divorce: The Revolutionary Way to Restructure Your Family, Resolve Legal Issues, and Move On With Your Life (2006). - Stu Webb and Ron Ousky write The Collaborative Way to Divorce: “The Revolutionary Method that Results in Less Stress, Lower Costs and Happier Kids, Without Going to Court , Harper Collins (2006). - Collaborative groups form: Ordre des Barreaux Francophones et Germanophone ( Belgium ) ; Queensland Association ; Bermuda Alliance (2006). - IACP focuses on research and developing survey instruments to collect data on collaborative matters (2006). - A Drafting Committee of the Uniform Law Commission beings work on drafting the Uniform Collaborative Law Act (2007). - IACP develops a client survey (2007). - First CP (Cooperative Praxis) seminar in Germany takes place (August 2007). - Collaborative Practice Manitoba , Collaborative Divorce Ottawa are established (2008). - Association of Collaborative Family Professionals ( Edmonton ) is established (2008). - Collaborative Divorce Association Holland is established (2008). - Collaborative Practice expands focus on including allied professionals (collateral services) on Collaborative teams. - Collaborative leaders increasingly emphasize and write about neuroscience in Collaborative Practice (2008-2009). - Second Edition of Pauline H. Tesler's Collaborative Law: Achieving Effective Resolution in Divorce Without Litigation , American Bar Association, Section of Family Law is published (2009). - Forrest S. Mosten writes Collaborative Divorce Handbook: Effectively Helping Divorcing Families Without Going to Court , Jossey Bass (2009). - German Association for Cooperative Practice ( DVCP) (February 2008) and Cooperative Praxis München (May 2008) are established. - Association Française des Praticiens du Droit Collaboratif (AFPDC) is established in France (May 2009). - Vereniging van Collaborative Professionals ( Netherlands ) is established (2009). - Central Sydney Collaborative Forum ( Australia ) is formed (2009).
2010 – 2014	- Two associations are established to spread Collaborative Practice in Italy : Instituto Italiano di Diritto Collaborativo (IICL) [Italian Institute of Collaborative Law] ( Rome ) and the Associazione Italiana degli Avvocati di Diritto Collaborativo (AIADC) [Italian Association of Collaborative Law Attorneys] ( Milan ) (2010). - Collaborative Practice Canberra ( Australia ) is established (2010). - South Dublin Collaborative Lawyers is established (2010). - IACP expands focus on research and data (2010). - Collaborative Practice Niagara (Ontario, Canada) is established (2011). - Collaborative Resolution New Zealand is established (2011). - IACP adopts a strategic plan and defines "Collaborative Practice" (2011). - Hong Kong Collaborative Practice Group is established (February 2011). - British Columbia Collaborative Roster Society is established (2012). - Collaborative training takes place at the European Conference in Edinburgh (2012). - IACP publishes the research results from its Professional Practice Survey from October 16, 2006 through July 6, 2010 (April 2012). - Abogados Colaborativos de Familia ( Spain ) is established (2013). - Singapore Mediation Centre is established and the first successful Collaborative family law case is completed (2013). - IACP forms its Inaugural Leadership Academy (2013). - European Network for Collaborative Professionals (ENCP) is formed (2014). - IACP expands its focus to address access to Collaborative Practice , lo bono and pro bono models, and reaching diverse, underserved populations. - Nancy J. Cameron writes Second Edition of Collaborative Practice: Deepening the Dialogue (2014). - IACP conducts second client study , to gather data about client experiences and satisfaction from a diverse sample of divorced individuals using different process options, including Collaborative divorce (2014). - The Collaborative Family Law Clinic (C-LAW) at Loyola Law School is started as a pilot program within the Loyola Center for Conflict Resolution (LCCR). It trains students in family law and the collaborative process in partnership with the Los Angeles Collaborative Family Law Association (2014). - Barry University School of Law starts a Pro Bono Collaborative Family Law Clinic , a model for law students to handle divorce cases using Collaborative Practice, under the supervision of Collaborative Professionals, for actual clients (2014). - Instituto Brasileiro de Práticas Colaborativas (IBPC) ( Brasil ) is established (2014). - UCLA/R adoptions: Utah (May 11, 2010), Texas (September 1, 2011), DC (May 9, 2012), Hawaii (July 1, 2012), Nevada (January 1, 2013), Ohio (March 22, 2013), Washington (July 28, 2013), Alabama (January 1, 2014), Maryland (October 2014), Michigan (December 8, 2014), New Jersey (December 9, 2014).
2015 – 2019	- Collaborative Professionals of Saskatchewan is established (2015). - Peel Halton Collaborative and Speed River Collaborative ( Ontario ) are established (2015). - Adelaide Collaborative Practice Group is established (2015). - Okanagan Collaborative Family Law Group is established (2016). - Brant Haldimand Norfolk Collaborative Family Law Group is established (2016). - Australian Association of Collaborative Professionals established (2016). - North Brisbane Collaborative Practice Group is established (2016). - Asociación de Derecho Colaborativo de Euskadi ( Basque Country, Spain ) is established (2017). - First Brazilian Congress of Collaborative Practices (2017). - Quinte Collaborative Divorce and Kawartha Collaborative Practice are established (2017). - Victorian Association of Collaborative Professionals is established (2017). - Third Edition of Pauline H. Tesler, Collaborative Law: Achieving Effective Resolution in Divorce Without Litigation , American Bar Association, Section of Family Law is published (2017). - Associació Catalana De Dret Col·laboratiu (Collaborative Law Catalan Association) ( Spain ) established (September 21, 2017). - Grupo Panameño de Practicas Colaborativas ( Panama ) is established (2018). - Collaborative Professionals of Canada is formed (April 28, 2019). - Forrest S. Mosten and Adam B. Cordover edit and the American Bar Association Section on Family Law publish Building a Successful Collaborative Family Law Practice (2019). - UCLA/R adoptions: Montana (October 1, 2015), Arizona (January 1, 2016), North Dakota (March 1, 2016), Florida (July 1, 2016 and eff. July 1, 2017 rules), New Mexico (December 31, 2017), Illinois (January 1, 2018), Pennsylvania (August 27, 2018), Tennessee (April 1, 2019).
2020 – present	- Academia Latinoamericana de Práctica Colaborativa) ( ALdeCO) ( Argentina ) is established (2020). - Collaborative Practice Sudbury is established (2020). - Malaysian Collaborative Practice Group is formed (March 18, 2021). - IACP is nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize (2022) - UCLA/R adoptions: North Carolina (October 1, 2020), Virginia (July 1, 2021), New Hampshire (October 9, 2021), Colorado (January 1, 2022), Kentucky (July 15, 2024), Louisiana (August 1, 2024), Mississippi (August 26, 2024), Connecticut (October 1, 2025), Oklahoma (January 1, 2026).

The first note maker, Stu Webb, said:

IACP, Collaborative Review , Vol. 2, No. 3 (Fall 2001).

The following table details the forward march of Collaborative Practice. "UCLA/R" refers to the Uniform Collaborative Law Act and Rule and jurisdictions that adopted it as the music unfolded.

The IACP, Practice Groups, UCLA – Supporting Collaborative Practice with Form and Structure

IACP: A Framework for a Coherent Whole

From the Minnesota lawyer, California dreamers, and Canadian colleagues, the burgeoning Collaborative Practice network became the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), a thriving, interconnected global community of legal, mental health, financial, and other collaborative professionals.

What drives the IACP? The IACP states its mission:

We unite and empower a global network of professionals who are dedicated to transforming conflict resolution using the principles of Collaborative Practice.

In service of this mission, the IACP's work includes:

Creating and educating members about ethical standards for Collaborative Practice;
Public outreach and education about Collaborative Practice;
Collecting data and conducting and interpreting research about Collaborative Practice, its cost, effectiveness, client satisfaction, and reach to various demographics;
Professional advanced training through webinars and in-person retreats;
Exploring neuroscience, systems approaches, and creative hybrid models to better fit and serve client needs;
Improving access to Collaborative Practice by underserved and diverse populations;
Encouraging leadership and mentoring among local and regional Collaborative Practice Groups; and
Fundraising and marketing.

The IACP supports Collaborative Practice with a framework that has integrity without stifling new, creative sounds.

Practice Groups: Composers and Players

The IACP connects Collaborative practice groups throughout the world. Practice groups themselves connect Collaborative professionals with each other by city, region, state, or country. There are over 200 active practice groups in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Asia, and other countries.

Colleagues in practice groups escape isolation in silos adversaries often find themselves in when working in other dispute resolution models. Members learn about each other. They form and build relationships. They see each other in action. Many first meet at general member meetings and become friends.

Legal, mental health, financial, and allied professional members of practice groups learn how to see the world and clients from each other's perspectives. They learn how to combine forces as teammates to serve people.

As the IACP does on a global level, practice groups take up and shape the standards for playing Collaborative music in their areas, supported by a framework of consistent principles to safeguard against its dissolving into chaotic noise.

Practice group members study Collaborative Practice, ethics, issues, and challenges from real-life examples. Many groups develop consistent protocols for Collaborative Practice, establish their own variations on standards and forms from actual experience, and focus on elevating members' training and education about Collaborative Practice. As they build the Collaborative community in their locality or region, practice groups work to educate the public about Collaborative Practice.

Uniform Collaborative Law Act and Rule: Joining the Orchestra, Supporting Its Structure

The Collaborative Practice movement draws further power from the Uniform Collaborative Law Act/Rule (UCLA/R), a model framework for Collaborative Practice. The Uniform Law Commission began drafting the framework in 2007 and completed the draft in 2010. The Commission's goal was to set consistent standards for the Collaborative Law process in jurisdictions considering formalizing Collaborative Practice by statute (Act) or by judicial rule (Rule).

To come up with an excellent product, the drafters received input from stakeholders ("Observers"). Among the Observers: the IACP, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association (ABA), the Dispute Resolution Section of the ABA, the ABA Commission on Domestic Violence, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), the Association for Conflict Resolution, bar association representatives, and legal scholars.

UCLA/R: A Model for Excellent Practice

As foundational principles support composing and playing music, so does the UCLA/R, constructed on foundational principles of Collaborative Practice, provide a consistent, uniform model for Collaborative Practice in jurisdictions that adopt its framework.

In the UCLA/R are standards for privileged confidential collaborative communications, disclosure of information, attorney disqualification from taking part in adversarial litigation, client-informed consent, ethical conduct, and screening for domestic violence.

On February 5, 2024, the American Bar Association's House of Delegates adopted Resolution 703, approving the UCLA/R as "appropriate for those states desiring to adopt the specific substantive law suggested therein."

Uniform Collaborative Law: Joining the March

As of this writing, twenty-eight jurisdictions (27 states and the District of Columbia) have adopted the Uniform Collaborative Law Act/Rule (UCLA/R) in the United States. In 2024, Kentucky and Louisiana (by statute), and Mississippi (by rule) joined the march. Oklahoma and Connecticut followed in 2025 (by statute),

Steady adoption of the UCLA/R reflects the evolving Collaborative Practice soundtrack. But, as chronicled above, the movement extends far beyond the UCLA/R. Collaborative Practice reverberates globally.

Collaborative Practice serving large populations thrives in states (Minnesota, California, New York, Massachusetts) and in countries (Canada, the UK, France, Brazil, Italy, Australia) that have yet to adopt the UCLA/R or an equivalent, yet were among the first places where Collaborative Practice took root.

Rough Numbers: Taking Up the Beat

Collaborative Practitioners and Practice Groups

Although no recent reliable estimate of practicing Collaborative professionals is available, thousands of practitioners – legal, financial, mental health, and allied professionals – who are trained in Collaborative Practice describe themselves as Collaborative professionals. They have helped thousands of families and non-family law clients resolve disputes respectfully, out-of-court.

In 2018, one judge estimated the growth of Collaborative Practice:

Today, every U.S. state and Canadian province acknowledges this practice of law. There are an estimated 20,000 trained collaborative lawyers and an estimated 50,000 or more completed cases.

Judges Love Collaborative Law—Here’s Why, American Bar Association News & Insights (July 2018).

Collaborative Listserv: Expanding Collaborative Professional Community

A measure of the expansion of the professional Collaborative community is the Collaborative Practice Listserv, a forum for Collaborative professional members to share confidentially ideas about Collaborative Practice on longer threads. The Listserv had 169 members in 2002. By December 2025, its membership had quadrupled to 676 members.

Internet Information: Collaborative Law and Collaborative Divorce

Internet searches, generally, have grown since the 1990s. Still, comparing Google search results is instructive as a gauge for growth in Collaborative Practice. Data through March 31, 2026 reflect exponential growth in the search terms "collaborative divorce" and "collaborative law" in Google Search (which began in 1998):

[contact author for chart]

Playing for the People: Collaborative Practice

Collaborative Practice might be a hollow, self-indulgent exercise if it were not for real people – families, businesspeople, clients in distress – who have inspired its development from initial sounds to a lush and vibrant soundscape that resonates with them as they resolve conflicts – privately and with dignity, respect, and creativity.

Conclusion

From a solitary note to a global symphony, Collaborative Practice has harmonized the efforts of Stu Webb, Pauline Tesler, and countless other composers and players into a force that has transformed conflict resolution. As practice groups strengthen worldwide, and amplify and reinvent the music, the melody endures. Thousands of practitioners worldwide will continue to join the orchestra and refine its symphonies to help people improve their lives by getting through and to the other side of conflicts.

Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals (FACP)

International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP)

Central Florida Collaborative Divorce

NOTE: Images go with the article, but this framework makes it difficult to submit them. Please contact me at michael@sampsoncollaborativelaw.com for the images, or go to the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals Collaborative Quarterly :

https://florida-collaborative-quarterly.ghost.io/collaborative-practice-from-a-root-note-to-a-movement/

Divorce by Design: Educating Clients on a Better Way Forward

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 02:52:10 GMT

Author Melissa Murphy Pavone

Divorce by Design: Educating Clients on a Better Way Forward

For many people, divorce still feels like something that happens to them. It is often driven by conflict, guided by fear, and quickly moves into a legal process before there is a full understanding of what is at stake.

But it does not have to be that way.

My book, Divorce by Design , was written to introduce a different path. It reflects what collaborative professionals have long known. When the right team is involved, divorce can be approached with intention, clarity, and respect.

The goal of the book is to educate the general public on what we, as collaborative professionals, are so passionate about. Divorce does not need to be adversarial to be effective.

Bridging the Awareness Gap

One of the biggest challenges in collaborative practice is awareness.

Many individuals entering divorce do not know that a team-based, out-of-court approach exists. Instead, they often begin by hiring an attorney and moving forward with legal action before fully understanding their options.

By the time they learn about collaboration, positions may already be set and conflict may already be escalating.

Divorce by Design aims to meet clients earlier in the process so they can make informed decisions from the start.

Highlighting the Collaborative Team

A central theme of the book is that divorce is not just a legal event. It is also emotional and financial.

That is why the most effective outcomes come from a team-based approach.

Within a collaborative framework, each professional plays an important role. Mental health professionals support communication and emotional stability. Financial professionals provide clarity around assets, cash flow, and long-term sustainability. Collaborative attorneys guide the legal structure while keeping the process focused on resolution.

When these professionals work together, clients are supported from multiple angles. No one is expected to navigate everything alone.

Empowering Clients Through Education

At its core, Divorce by Design is about helping clients understand the process.

When individuals are educated on how the team works, what financial decisions mean long term, and how communication impacts outcomes, they are better equipped to move forward with confidence.

Education reduces fear. With less fear, decision-making becomes more thoughtful and more sustainable.

From Reactive to Intentional

Without guidance, many people make decisions in a reactive state. They may agree to terms quickly, focus on short-term relief, or make choices without fully understanding the long-term impact.

A collaborative approach allows for a different experience.

Clients can slow down. They can understand their options. They can make decisions that support their future, not just resolve the present.

This is what Divorce by Design encourages.

Expanding the Reach of Collaborative Practice

There is an opportunity for the collaborative community to continue expanding access by educating clients earlier and more broadly.

Books, content, and community education can help individuals understand that there is a structured and supported alternative to litigation.

When more people are aware of this approach, more families can benefit from it.

Designing a Better Divorce Experience

Divorce will always carry emotional weight, but it does not have to be defined by conflict.

When clients are informed and supported by a collaborative team, they are better positioned to move through the process with clarity and dignity.

Divorce by Design is an invitation to rethink how divorce begins, who is involved, and what outcomes are possible.

For those of us committed to collaborative practice, it reflects a shared goal. Helping more families navigate divorce in a way that is thoughtful, respectful, and built for the long term.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:51:50 GMT

By Robert Arthur, IACP President

Hello IACP Community,

My term as President of IACP concludes on March 31. As I prepare to step into the role of Immediate Past President and welcome President-Elect Rajashree Suppiah into leadership on April 1, I want to thank you for the honor of serving this organization and this community.

At the start of my term, I set a few personal goals: to introduce and explore the Ten Pillars of Collaborative Practice, to involve more younger professionals, and to bring some energy and fun back into our work.

We made meaningful progress, but there is more ahead.

This year also gave me the opportunity to travel and speak with Collaborative groups across our community. My final stop is this week, March 27, at the Spring Conference of Collaborative Divorce Texas . These conversations have been one of the most rewarding parts of this role. I have learned a great deal from you, and your insights have helped shape IACP’s direction going forward. And yes, I still owe a few of you follow-up emails.

Throughout the year, I have used this space to reflect on the Ten Pillars of Collaborative Practice. Last month, we explored Confidentiality. This month, we conclude with our tenth Pillar: Respect .

Each Pillar is a value statement, not listed in order of importance. The final six reflect what we value as a community. Here is the full statement:

In line with the IACP mission, we are committed to creating a community that promotes respectful and constructive communication.

What stands out to me is how Collaborative Practice builds respect through the process itself. Many clients begin in conflict, carrying hurt, fear, or distrust. Initially, trust may rest only in their own Collaborative Attorney. Over time, with the support of the team, they begin to trust the process, and eventually, in many cases, each other.

This is not accidental. It is the result of consistent communication, transparency, and professionalism. It is also reflected in the data. The 2015 IACP Divorce Experience Study found that 78% of clients chose Collaborative Practice expecting a more respectful process, and 76.82% reported satisfaction with that expectation, strongly correlating with overall satisfaction.

Respect is not simply a value we promote. It is something the Collaborative process makes possible. It is built step by step through trust, safety, and human dignity. This is the work of building peace , and it is the work we carry forward together.

It has been an honor to serve as your President. I look forward to continuing this work as Immediate Past President, and to seeing many of you in the months ahead, including at the IACP Forum in Vancouver this fall.

Embracing Change, Strengthening Practice

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:05:19 GMT

By Robert Arthur

In my part of the world, late February is when spring begins peeking through winter. A few days ago, rain washed away all the snow. Then overnight, winter returned as if it had never left. Living with dramatic seasonal shifts reminds me that change is constant; even when it feels uncertain or abrupt. We cannot control the world around us, but we can respond thoughtfully and adapt with intention.

That spirit of adaptation connects directly to this year’s Educational and Networking Forum theme: Collaborative Rising: Elevate Practice, Deepen Connections + Ignite Change, taking place October 29–November 1, 2026 , at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Change is not something to resist; it’s something to shape. Our Forum is an opportunity to learn how others are evolving Collaborative Practice in their communities and to share the innovations emerging in your own work.

The proposal deadline for PFIs and Workshops is March 1, 2026 . I strongly encourage you to submit. Your experiences—especially the ways you have adapted Collaborative Practice to meet shifting client needs—can help ignite meaningful change across our global community.

As part of my Presidential year, I’ve been highlighting the Ten Pillars of Collaborative Practice . Last month, we reflected on Persistence. This month, we turn to our ninth Pillar: Confidentiality .

Each of the Ten Pillars is a value statement, not listed in order of importance. The last six describe values we live through our community. Here’s the full statement:

In line with the IACP mission, we are committed to creating a community that protects the privacy and confidentiality of all people involved.

Confidentiality is often one of the clearest advantages of Collaborative Practice. Our private meetings and participation agreements make this commitment visible. And clients recognize its value. In the 2015 IACP Divorce Experience Study , 89.4% of Collaborative clients reported satisfaction with the level of privacy in their process—the highest-rated feature of the model.

Confidentiality is more than an ethical rule. It creates psychological safety. It allows parties to speak honestly, explore options openly, and begin building trust. Next month, we will turn to our final Pillar, Respect , the companion value that strengthens that trust even further.

Hope Through Persistence

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:22:06 GMT

By Robert Arthur

Hi everyone,

Warm greetings to all of you around the world! Outside my office, it’s a crisp 4°F (-15°C), while many of you in the Southern Hemisphere are enjoying the warmth of summer. I’m reminded how beautifully diverse our global community is: united by purpose, even when our seasons, languages, and landscapes differ.

This time of year invites reflection, and in a world that sometimes feels heavy, I’ve been thinking about the quiet, steady power we hold as Collaborative Professionals. We are uniquely positioned to offer hope, dignity, and constructive paths forward, every time we show up with clarity, compassion, and courage. What we do matters. It’s work that heals.

And we have a powerful opportunity to come together again at this year’s Educational and Networking Forum , held October 29–November 1, 2026 at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre , in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Our theme says it all:

Collaborative Rising: Elevate Practice, Deepen Connections + Ignite Change.

I hope you’ll consider submitting a proposal for a PFI or Workshop . Your experiences, ideas, and insights are exactly what our global community needs. The submission deadline is March 1 and I’d love to see your voice represented on this year’s program.

As part of my Presidential year, I’ve been highlighting our Ten Pillars of Collaborative Practice each month. Last month, I focused on Interdisciplinary Teamwork. This month, we move to our eighth Pillar: Persistence .

Each of the Ten Pillars is a value statement, not listed in order of importance. The last six describe values we live through our community. Here’s the full statement:

In line with the IACP mission, we are committed to creating a community that shows perseverance and commitment to finding solutions, even in challenging and complex situations.

I am, admittedly, a Collaborative absolutist. I believe Collaborative Practice can resolve any conflict, provided that the participants and professionals commit to the process. Trust, perseverance, and creativity are essential. When we lean into impasse, when we consult with one another, when we hold space for complexity, this is when real resolution happens.

So let’s begin this new year grounded in our shared strength. When we commit to the work—and to each other—we model something the world desperately needs: that resolution is possible.

Next month, I’ll continue with the ninth Pillar: Confidentiality .

Collaborative Learning Outside of a Formal Collaborative Practice Group

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 18:19:14 GMT

Author: Ross Evans

This is the one in a series of articles being published by the IACP Practice Group Development Committee. They are intended to help Collaborative Practitioners be successful and Practice Groups grow and thrive. The opinions contained in these articles are those of the writers and do not reflect any official position of the organization.

Many new collaboratively trained professionals often wonder how to build, develop and strengthen their skill set after their initial training. Oftentimes they are not yet part of a Collaborative Practice Group or looking to develop apart or in addition to their practice group. We learned from our early development that the best way to assist our own personal skills was through learning and working with other collaboratively trained professionals. In fact, the best way to develop your own skills is to share success and failure with others who understand what is trying to be accomplished.

This brought about the concept of “Pods”. Just like with Dolphins, a Pod is a group of individuals who are creating a society for both learning and socialization. The Pod can be any size and created to help the members with any learning or training that will be helpful for each member. In many regions around the world, Pods are used as both part of the regional Practice Groups as well as stand alone learning groups to help develop collaborative practice. They can be based on region, skill level, commitment level, learning style, practice level or any other attribute that may be similar for the members. You may have 3 or 4 colleagues who all enjoy book clubs and your Pod may use the many available books on Collaborative Practice to strengthen your skills. You may like to talk in a smaller setting and the idea of sharing difficult cases with a larger group may be intimidating.

Creating a pod is as simple as reaching out to a few other practitioners and suggesting an initial get-together to determine if there is enough interest to get together on a regular basis. Some pods meet weekly, some monthly and some just make it a “whenever” we can get together creating an agenda or even just to hold “grand rounds” and discuss the current cases. We learn from our successes, and we also may learn more from our failures and having a small group of practitioners to break down what transpired can lead to great learning opportunities.

With the upsurge in the use of technology, the Pod does not even have to be present in the same space, and the use of Zoom, Teams or similar platforms can help bring people together. If meetings can be arranged in person, I would always suggest that as the preferred manner since spending time face to face is so important in our work and our learning.

Recent Florida Collaborative Divorce Survey Data Provides Insights for Teams around the Globe

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 19:29:52 GMT

Authors: Adam B. Cordover & Dr. Randy Heller

Why this matters now

Collaborative Divorce and Family Law continues to evolve around the world. As practitioners, we rely on evidence to refine how we work together — whether in divorce, parenting matters, or prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. A recent analysis of survey data conducted by Adam B. Cordover, managing attorney at Family Diplomacy: A Collaborative Law Firm , and Dr. Randy Heller, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Couple and Family Therapy of Nova Southeastern University and Collaborative Facilitator/Family Specialist . and owner of The Family Network , reviewed a decade of data gathered by the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals (“FACP”). This analysis provided compelling empirical support for the emerging trends regarding the effectiveness of the Collaborative Divorce process in general and an interdisciplinary approach in particular. The results of the analysis was first published in the Florida Bar Family Law Section’s Commentator Magazine , Volume XLV, Issue 1, 2025.

This blog highlights key research findings, what they mean for practitioners, and how we can apply them across cultures and systems.

Key takeaways for collaborative professionals

The vast majority of Collaborative Divorce cases (85%) reached a full Resolution.
Neutral interdisciplinary team members remain central to success.
Speed and resolution patterns align with prior International Academy of Collaborative Professionals research.

What the Florida data shows

Between 2014 and 2024, at the conclusion of a Collaborative matter, Collaborative Professional Teams throughout the state completed a survey identifying their experience of the matters in which they engaged. Survey participants were asked pointed questions about the substance of the matter, demographic information of the clients, and the clients’ relationships to each other and their professional team. The Florida survey was adapted from a previous survey crafted by the IACP Research Committee. Here are the major findings:

About 85 percent of cases ended in a full agreement, avoiding court entirely. This outcome closely aligns with earlier IACP research that found an 86 percent resolution rate for Collaborative cases, reinforcing consistency across decades and jurisdictions (Note to Editor – I can no longer find the 2010 Research, Summaries, or Collaborative Review Articles on the IACP website, but it would be helpful if this article linked to those materials so practitioners can dive deeper).
60 percent of matters resolved within six months, underscoring how efficient, focused interdisciplinary teamwork and client-centered processes can shorten timelines compared to adversarial paths.
Neutral Financial Professionals participated in 92 percent of cases, demonstrating that early, facilitated financial analysis remains a critical success factor.
84 percent involved Neutral Collaborative Facilitators (the term that Florida uses for the role of “Coach” or “Neutral Mental Health Professional”), highlighting the benefit for clients on receiving co-parenting, relational, emotional, and communication support.
63% of all-in costs fell between $20,000 – $75,000 (including Collaborative Attorneys, Facilitator, and Financial Neutral), demonstrating the need for professionals to provide realistic expectations for clients on costs.

This survey data emerged from front-line practitioners’ case closures, and typically collected during a final professional team debrief, making them especially relevant to how we, as professionals, conduct and conclude Collaborative matters as well as learn from our process.

What these outcomes tell us about practice

Confirmation of the interdisciplinary model

The high and significant involvement of both Neutral Financial Professionals and Neutral Facilitators reinforces the architecture of Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice. Not only do these roles appear to reduce conflict; they allow each professional to bring their discipline-specific expertise to the arena, as they enhance client understanding and decision-making.

For teams seeking to strengthen their practice, this analysis offers quantitative support for training investments in facilitation skills and financial clarity work.

Alignment with IACP’s Research trends

The Florida findings reflect trends observed in past international research. IACP’s own research from 2010 showed similar resolution rates when divorcing parties engaged in the Collaborative Process.

This continuity of outcomes — over time and across regions — helps us advocate more confidently for Collaborative options with other professionals and with systems that may be unfamiliar with the practice.

Implications for case timing and planning

The fact that a majority of cases closed within six months suggests that Collaborative cases, when well-managed, may outperform typical litigated timelines. Although practice environments vary internationally, this information can:

Guide Teams to work more efficiently and responsibly,
assist teams in setting realistic expectations for clients,
support benchmarks for process improvement, and
help legal professionals to frame and legitimize Collaborative Practice to courts, lawmakers, agencies, and other decision-making or referral sources.

Practical steps for practitioners

Here are actionable ideas from the analysis that you can consider integrating into your practice today:

1. Track your own outcomes. Whether you are a lawyer, financial professional, or mental health practitioner, systematic data collection about case resolution, timeline, and cost helps refine your approach and illustrates value to skeptics. Local Collaborative Practice Groups or statewide/provincewide organizations, or national entities can serve as a repository of data collection, similar to how the FACP has served in Florida. It also provides you with data to offer prospective clients.

2. Strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration. Lawyers are urged to build relationships with mental health professionals and financial professionals in their communities and inform clients about the value that they add. That value can include a speedier resolution to relationally and emotionally challenging and financially fraught discussions.

3. Share your successes. Publishing data-driven insights, whether through IACP channels or local collaborative networks, helps build collective credibility for Collaborative Practice around the world. Lawmakers, judges, and other professionals ought to know that, though we can’t promise anything, when clients choose the Collaborative Process, they are highly likely to complete it with a full resolution. As mentioned earlier, we found an 85% success rate in Florida. That’s a big deal!

Conclusion

These statistics will be useful when informing potential clients, fellow professionals, and decision makers about the Collaborative Process. And, if you are gathering statistics in your practice or community, we would love to hear the results. Were your statistics similar to those in the recent Florida study and the 2010 IACP study? What did you find most interesting?

And if your community is interested in learning more about these statistics and would like to have a speaker on the topic, feel free to reach out to us.

Adam B. Cordover is a Florida Collaborative Lawyer and trainer with offices in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota. He is co-author with Forrest S. Mosten of an American Bar Association book on Building A Successful Collaborative Family Law Practice. He is a former member of the Board of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and Former Chair of the IACP Research Committee as well as Former Chair of the IACP Ethics & Standards Committee. Adam is a former president of the Next Generation Divorce practice group and was honored to receive the inaugural Visionary Award of the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals for creating and co-instructing the FACP’s inaugural Leadership Institute.

D r. Randy Heller is a Collaborative Facilitator/Coach who is licensed in Florida, New York, and Connecticut. She is a member of the Board of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, the Board of the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals, and co-founder of the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals’ Research Committee. Dr. Heller has researched and published her doctoral dissertation on Competency and the Role of the Mental Health Professional in Collaborative Family Law. She has presented on this topic both statewide, nationally, and internationally, and has also published several book chapters and articles on this topic. Dr. Heller has also served as a Board member of the FACP, is past President of the Collaborative Family Law Professionals of South Florida, and a member of the Collaborative Family Law Institute and the Collaborative Family Law Professionals of South Florida.

Innovation Through Interdisciplinary Teamwork

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 17:38:06 GMT

By Robert Arthur, IACP President

Hi everyone,

I want to wish you all peace and wellness during this Holiday season. As events have reminded us, we need as many people seeking peace in this world as possible.

I wrapped up my fall tour of Collaborative community gatherings with a visit to the Collaborative Law Institute of Minnesota for their Annual Forum on December 4. I shared IACP’s Strategic vision and plan for 2025–2028, including the Ten Pillars of Collaborative Practice . We had rich conversations about the value of IACP membership and the importance of local practice groups. And I had the pleasure of meeting Stu Webb in person for the second time!

If we met and didn’t get to finish our conversation—or if we missed each other entirely—please reach out. I’d love to continue connecting over Zoom. I’ll resume visits to practice groups and Global Partners in the new year, and I hope to see many of you in person soon.

As part of my Presidential year, I’ve been dedicating space in each letter to the Ten Pillars of Collaborative Practice. Last month, we reflected on Ethical Integrity. This month, I turn to the seventh Pillar: Interdisciplinary Teamwork .

Each of the Ten Pillars is a value statement—not listed in order of importance. The last six describe values we live through our community. Here’s the full statement:

In line with the IACP mission, we are committed to creating a community that uses interdisciplinary teams to empower and support individuals to reach their own agreements with a focus on their short and long-term well-being.

This may be the most familiar of the Pillars. Interdisciplinary teamwork is central to every basic training and is often featured in Collaborative marketing. But it’s more than a concept—it’s a community commitment .

As Collaborative Practice matures, interdisciplinary teams are sometimes treated as optional. Cost concerns are real, and clients often hesitate. But we can innovate.

An interdisciplinary process does not need to look like a series of 6-way meetings, with everyone present and combined billables over $2,000 per hour. Smart, creative use of modern group communication and collaboration tools can allow larger teams to work together more effectively and efficiently. We can make interdisciplinary processes more attractive and cost-effective for clients.

I would like to challenge us to use creative structures and smart tools to make interdisciplinary teamwork more accessible, affordable, and effective—for everyone.

Next month: Persistence .

12 Days of Co-Parenting Calm

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 16:47:17 GMT

Guest Post by: Deb Gilman

Day 1: A Partridge in a Calm Tree — Regulate First Start with emotional regulation. Before any transition, conversation, or plan… breathe. Your nervous system sets the tone for your child’s nervous system.

Day 2: Two Homes, One Message Align expectations with your co-parent—kids thrive when both homes feel predictable, not competitive. Share schedules, gift plans, and transitions in advance.

Day 3: Three Deep Breaths For you and your child. A mini ritual—three slow breaths before leaving one home and entering the other—creates safety and grounding.

Day 4: Four Feelings Allowed Joy, sadness, excitement, worry—children of divorce often feel all the feelings during the holidays. Normalize them. Hold space. Let them talk or take quiet time.

Day 5: Five Quiet Minutes Build in small moments of stillness. Five calm minutes—reading, snuggling, a warm drink—can reset an overstimulated child.

Day 6: Six Shared Traditions You don’t need identical homes. You need continuity. Choose one or two rituals both homes can honor— the same book, candle, countdown, or ornament.

Day 7: Seven Gentle Transitions Holiday transitions are extra tender. Keep handoffs calm, on time, and conflict-free. Kids feel every raised eyebrow and tight jaw—protect the transfer.

Day 8: Eight Words That Change Everything Tell your child: “It’s okay to enjoy time in both homes.” This lifts the heaviest emotional burden children carry.

Day 9: Nine Names for Gratitude At dinner or bedtime, name nine things you’re grateful for—big or small. Gratitude regulates the nervous system and builds resilience after divorce.

Day 10: Ten Minutes to Prepare Preview the day. Map the plan. Kids feel safer when they know what’s coming—especially in holiday chaos.

Day 11: Eleven Hands Helping Let your child help decorate, bake, wrap, choose, or create. Agency equals empowerment—especially during times of family change.

Day 12: Twelve Lights of Love Whether it’s lights, candles, trees, menorahs, stars, lanterns, or cocoa at bedtime— end the season with symbols of warmth, togetherness, and hope. Let your child feel the glow of two homes that care about their heart, not their schedule. ❄️ Your child won’t remember who had which day or which house had better decorations. They’ll remember how the holidays felt— calm, connected, and full of care. You’re not just co-parenting the season. You’re shaping their lifelong memories of what love looks like in two homes.

Ethical Integrity: The Foundation of Trust

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:46:50 GMT

By Robert Arthur

Hi everyone,

My fall tour of Collaborative community gatherings has been a great success! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many of you at the Civil Collaborative Law Conference in New York, the Canadian Collaborative Rocky Mountain Conference in Banff, and the Annual Meeting of the Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin in Delafield. I’ve shared updates about IACP’s new Strategic Plan—and done a lot of listening, too.

Next up: December 4–5: CLI Minnesota Forum 2025 in Minneapolis.

I would love to continue the conversation. If we met but didn’t get to finish our discussion—or if you were not able to connect with me—please reach out. I am happy to set up a Zoom call.

As part of my Presidential year, I have been using this space to reflect on the Ten Pillars of Collaborative Practice. Last month, we explored Inclusivity. This month’s focus is the sixth Pillar: Ethical Integrity.

Each of the Ten Pillars is a value statement—not listed in order of importance. The final six express values we uphold as a community. Here is the full statement:

In line with the IACP mission, we are committed to creating a community that upholds high standards of competence and ethics, ensuring reliability and professionalism in every interaction.

IACP includes professionals from many disciplines—lawyers, mental health professionals, financial specialists, and mediators—with others involved depending on the case and jurisdiction. What binds us across those differences is ethics. Our specific codes vary by discipline and geography, but ethical standards communicate competence, reliability, and professionalism. They enable parties in conflict to trust us professionally, and by extension trust the process. Strong allegiance to ethical principles is the keystone to trust building in our cases and in our communities.

IACP plays a vital role in promoting ethical standards. Our Ethics & Standards Committee is hard at work reviewing our ethical guidelines—and you can expect updates to be released in the year ahead.

Next month: Interdisciplinary Teamwork.

Why Use A 3-Step Divorce Team Mediation and How Does It Work?

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:10:38 GMT

By Ria Severance, LMFT

Inclusivity: Strengthening Collaborative Practice Through Diverse Perspectives

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:51:07 GMT

By Robert Arthur, IACP President

Hi everyone,

I had a great time earlier this month at the Collaborative Divorce Symposium , hosted by CPCal in Redwood City, California! It was a pleasure meeting so many passionate Collaborative Professionals and hearing their thoughts on IACP’s new Strategic Plan. That event kicked off my fall tour of CP gatherings. More stops to come:

Oct. 30–31 : Civil Collaborative Law Conference , presented by GCLC, in New York, USA
Nov. 6–9 : Canadian Collaborative Rocky Mountain Conference , presented by Collaborative Professionals of Canada and Collaborative Divorce Alberta Association, in Banff, Alberta, Canada
Nov. 13 : 2025 Annual Meeting , Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin, Delafield, WI, USA
Dec. 4–5 : CLI Minnesota Forum 2025 , Collaborative Law Institute of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

I hope to see you at one of these events!

As part of my Presidential year, I’ve been using this space to reflect on the Ten Pillars of Collaborative Practice . Last month, we explored Open Communication . This month's focus is our fifth Pillar: Inclusivity .

Each of the Ten Pillars is a value statement—not listed in order of importance. The last six describe values we express through our community. Here’s the full statement:

In line with the IACP mission, we are committed to creating a community that is inclusive of diverse perspectives, in recognition that we create a stronger Collaborative Practice model and professional community when we embrace the breadth of experience and insight from all.

This Pillar is longer than the others—intentionally so. “Inclusivity” is often listed as a goal without real operational meaning. We wanted to be specific: we grow stronger when we include diverse perspectives, whether from clients, between professionals, in practice groups, or while in leadership.

That’s not easy. It takes patience, active listening, and the courage to create space for voices that have not always been heard. I have not always gotten this right. But when we remind each other with love and respect, we live this Pillar fully.

Next month: Ethical Integrity .

Open Communication: The Foundation of Trust

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 16:58:27 GMT

By Robert Arthur, IACP President

Hi everyone,

Autumn is in the air, at least in my part of the world, and that means two things for me: (1) the Green Bay Packers are back in action, and (2) conference season is here!

While IACP Forum will return in 2026 (watch for more news on that soon!), I’ll be attending several exciting events this October and November:

Oct. 17–19 : Collaborative Divorce Symposium , presented by CPCal, in Redwood City, California, USA
Oct. 30–31 : Civil Collaborative Law Conference , presented by GCLC, in New York, USA
Nov. 6–9 : Canadian Collaborative Rocky Mountain Conference , presented by Collaborative Professionals of Canada and Collaborative Divorce Alberta Association, in Banff, Alberta, Canada

I hope to see you there!

As part of my Presidential year, I’ve been using this space to reflect on the Ten Pillars of Collaborative Practice . Last month, we explored the third Pillar: Adaptability. This month, I’m turning to the fourth: Open Communication .

Each of the Ten Pillars is a value statement—not listed in order of importance. The first four describe values we express through our work. Here’s the full statement:

Through Collaborative Practice, we keep communication open during the resolution process to build trust and understanding.
Collaborative Practice brings together professionals and clients in a team. When that team is functioning well, it creates a powerful environment for resolution. When it’s not, the stress can be overwhelming—for professionals and parties alike.

Open communication builds the trust and mutual understanding that a team needs to succeed. We embody this through team debriefs, planning sessions, transparency in information sharing, and direct, respectful dialogue.

When clients see trust modeled by the team, they often find the courage to trust the process—and each other—enough to resolve their conflict. This is a key distinction between Collaborative Practice and court-centered approaches.

Next month: Inclusivity .

Adaptability: Meeting Clients Where They Are

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 17:04:36 GMT

By Robert Arthur, IACP President

Hi everyone,

As I write this, we are entering the final week of summer in my part of the world. The air is cooling, the days are growing shorter, and soon the leaves will start to turn. It’s been a busy month at IACP as we prepare for an active and exciting next few months.

In September , we’re hosting four Conversation Time events! In addition to our usual gatherings for MHPs, Attorneys, and Financial Professionals, we’ll hold our first-ever Conversation Time for Mediators —a popular request we’re excited to offer. If mediation is part of your practice, I hope you will register and take part.

Also, a quick reminder: IACP members receive a special discount for the Canadian Collaborative Rocky Mountain Conference (CCRMC) , taking place November 6–9, 2025 . I will be presenting a workshop on attracting to and supporting young professionals in Collaborative Practice—one of my top priorities this year. Don’t miss out: the discount expires September 12 ! The code can be found in the Member Portal .

As part of my Presidential year, I’m continuing my monthly reflections on the Ten Pillars of Collaborative Practice . Last month, we explored Holistic Support. This month’s focus is our third Pillar: Adaptability .

Each of the Ten Pillars is a value statement—not listed in order of importance. The first four describe values we express through our work. Here is the full statement on Adaptability :

Through Collaborative Practice, we customize conflict resolution methods to meet the specific situation and needs of everyone involved.

This Pillar is one of my favorites because it highlights a key strength of Collaborative Practice. When I introduce clients to the process, many are drawn to the idea that their team will respond and adapt to their unique needs.

Everyone wants to be heard. In Collaborative Practice, we do not just listen—we adapt. We build a process around their evolving needs, and we keep adjusting until resolution.

Next month: Open Communication .

Attention Law and Grad Students - Get Collaboratively Trained!

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 01:02:59 GMT

Guest Post by: Randy Heller

“Peacemaking – Let it Begin with Me…!”

Kevin Robert Scudder, a cherished husband, father, and founder of the Seattle Collaborative Law Center, passed away on June 28, 2023, in Seattle at the age of 63, surrounded by his daughters, Clara and Ella, and his partner of 41 years, Anna Davis. His death followed complications from an allergic reaction to heparin after knee replacement surgery.

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1960 to Charles Scudder and Barbara Binswanger, Kevin was the fourth of six siblings. He was known for his playful spirit, love of baking chocolate chip cookies, and dedication to keeping a tidy kitchen. His passion for music was nurtured by his parents’ involvement in the Omaha Folklore Society, and he developed a love for sports and nature during his childhood. His travels to Egypt and Israel deepened his commitment to conflict resolution.

As a lawyer, Kevin was a compassionate and diligent advocate. He became a leader in the Collaborative law community, serving with various organizations, including as President of Collaborative Professionals of Washington and on the Executive Board of the International Association of Collaborative Professionals. He was honored as "Professional of the Year" by the Washington State Bar Association Family Law Section in 2023.

Kevin’s personal motto, “Peacemaking. Let it begin with me,” reflected his commitment to helping families navigate divorce peacefully. He mentored many Collaborative professionals, leaving a significant legacy.

In honor of Kevin, the Kevin Scudder Higher Education Scholarship Fund was established to support Law and Graduate students in Mental Health and Finance in becoming collaboratively trained. Encourage the next generation to embrace the Collaborative Movement and learn peaceful methods for restructuring families.

Applications can be sent to Dr Randy Heller

drrandy@familynetworknewyork.com.

Holistic Support: Addressing the Whole Picture

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 17:10:48 GMT

By Robert Arthur, IACP President

Hi everyone,

We are halfway through 2025 and deep into summer here in my part of the world. I hope your July has been both joyful and productive!

At IACP, it’s been a busy month—highlighted by our recent Town Hall . I shared updates about our Mission, Vision, and the Ten Pillars of Collaborative Practice. We heard from several IACP committees and saw a live demonstration of the new IACP Member Portal . One of the most meaningful moments came when Past President Selina Trigg presented the Heart of Service Award to two extraordinary members: Past President Diane Diel and Mark Soboslai . Their dedication to IACP is inspiring to us all.

Looking ahead, I’d like to spotlight our next Collaborative Club event: Effective Collaborative Team Debriefing , a member only conversation led by Board Member Anthony Diaz, on August 19 (North America). Strong team communication enhances every Collaborative process. I hope you will join me in registering!

As part of my Presidential year, I’m dedicating space each month to the Ten Pillars of Collaborative Practice . Last month, we explored Empowerment. This month, I turn to the second Pillar: Holistic Support.

Each of the Ten Pillars is a value statement—not listed in order of importance. The first four describe values we express through our work. Here’s the full statement:

Through Collaborative Practice, we provide resources to facilitate holistic solutions that address the emotional, financial, and legal aspects of disputes.

It’s a broad and powerful idea. I chose the phrase Holistic Support, but others might call it Holistic Solutions or Multi-Dimensional Problem Solving. What word or phrase would you choose?

This Pillar names something essential: that in Collaborative Practice, nothing is off the table . As we walk through the Ten Pillars, we will see a consistent theme of support for the parties in conflict, but this is the Pillar that names it specifically. We build interdisciplinary teams to help clients navigate every dimension of their conflict. That kind of integrated support simply is not available in legal processes alone.

Next month: Adaptability.

Empowerment: Putting Clients at the Center

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 17:32:58 GMT

By Robert Arthur, IACP President

Hi everyone,

We’ve had another exciting month of growth at IACP! One of the great pleasures of being President is seeing our team—staff, board, and volunteer committee members from around the world—strengthen our organization every day through creativity, determination, and deep competence. It’s truly inspiring, and I wish all our members could see it up close.

We have a fantastic opportunity for all members coming up: the IACP Town Hall on Thursday, July 17 (North America) / Friday, July 18 (Australasia). I will be speaking and answering questions about our Mission and Strategic Plan, and we will announce the recipients of the 2025 Heart of Service Award. It’s a great chance to connect and hear how IACP is advancing the Collaborative Practice community.

As I continue through my Presidential year, I am dedicating part of each letter to the Ten Pillars of Collaborative Practice . Last month, I offered an overview. This month, let’s explore the first Pillar: Empowerment. Each of the Ten Pillars is a value statement—not listed in order of importance. The first four describe values we express through our work.

Here’s the full statement:

Through Collaborative Practice, we help people in conflict make informed decisions that meet their needs and goals.

It’s a rich concept, hard to summarize in one word. I chose Empowerment. What word would you choose? Conflict can leave people feeling out of control, defensive, and diminished. In Collaborative Practice, we bring information, answer questions, offer coaching, and create a space where clients can make meaningful choices. We return power to their voices. We put them at the center.

Next month, I will continue on to the second Pillar, Holistic Support.

Collaborative Divorce, Kids, and Control: Creating Safer Parenting Plans That Actually Work

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:49:23 GMT

By Dr. Deb Gilman

Creating Safer Parenting Plans That Actually Work is never easy. (Groundbreaking insight, I know.) But when separation happens in the shadow of coercive control or intimate partner violence (IPV), “not easy” becomes “are we even in the same universe of difficult?” That’s why the collaborative divorce process can be so powerful—when done right.

But here’s the kicker: when coercive control or IPV are in play, collaboration needs to look different. It needs to be trauma-informed. It needs to protect. And most of all, it needs to center the kids.

Enter the Child Specialist: Not Just a Fancy Title

A child specialist is the emotional GPS of the process. They’re a neutral professional who meets with the kids and brings their voice into the room—without making them choose sides or sit through awkward adult drama. Think of them as the one person whose job is just to care about how the kids are doing, what they need, and how the parenting plan can support that. In cases involving coercive control, the child specialist becomes even more crucial. They can spot subtle dynamics that others might miss—like a parent undermining the child’s relationship with the other parent, or pressure that’s not technically “violent” but is deeply destabilizing.

IPV and Coercive Control: Why the Standard Playbook Doesn’t Work

Here’s the thing: collaborative divorce was designed for people who can sit at the same table and play nice-ish. But when coercive control is involved? That table can become a performance stage, and abusers often know exactly how to look cooperative while manipulating the process behind the scenes. So yes, collaboration is possible in these cases—but only if the professionals are trained to spot coercion, not just bruises.

This means:

Separate meetings where needed
Coaching for the less-dominant partner
Adjusted timelines to reduce pressure
Ongoing screening for safety
And sometimes… an acknowledgment that full collaboration isn’t safe or fair right now

Making Parenting Plans That Aren’t Just Wishful Thinking

A parenting plan should not be a fantasy novel. It should be a clear, enforceable, detailed roadmap that accounts for the real power dynamics in the family.

That means:

Built-in structures to prevent manipulation (like neutral drop-offs, third-party communications, and clear decision-making protocols)
Flexibility for the child’s developmental needs—not the ego of either parent
Input from the child specialist that’s actually reflected in the plan (novel idea, I know)

Bottom Line: Collaborative Divorce Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

When it works, the collaborative process can be transformative—even healing. But when IPV or coercive control are involved, the process needs to adapt, not pretend it’s business as usual. With the right professionals (and that includes a solid child specialist), it can still lead to better outcomes for kids and a more stable post-divorce reality.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about “winning” the divorce. It’s about protecting the kids, reducing harm, and maybe—just maybe—starting a new chapter that isn’t ruled by fear.

Rethinking Resistance: How Motivational Interviewing Unlocks Collaboration—and Reveals the Need for Neutrals

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:43:19 GMT

Guest Post by: Dr. Deb Gilman

Resistance shows up in the Collaborative Process in all kinds of subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways:

And the instinct, especially for well-meaning professionals, is to explain. We tell. We reassure. We present logical reasons and try to “sell” the benefits of bringing in a neutral.

But here’s the paradox:

The more we try to persuade, the more resistance grows.

Why? Because resistance isn’t about logic. It’s about autonomy .

When clients feel unsure, overwhelmed, or emotionally raw, they often cling to the one thing they can control: saying no. They’re not rejecting us—they’re trying to protect themselves. And our explanations, however thoughtful, can feel like pressure.

That’s where Motivational Interviewing (MI) becomes a game-changer.

What is Motivational Interviewing?

Motivational Interviewing is a client-centered approach that helps people explore their own reasons for change. Instead of telling them what to do, we ask curious, open-ended questions that invite reflection.

MI rests on a powerful truth:

People are more motivated by what they hear themselves say than by what they’re told.

In Collaborative Practice, MI allows us to shift from persuasion to partnership—to guide clients, not push them. And when we do that, the magic happens: resistance melts, insight emerges, and clients often name the very needs we hoped they’d recognize.

The Magic Formula: Ask Insightful Questions

Instead of defending the value of neutrals, try offering space for the client to reflect. Below are 5 powerful insight-based questions rooted in MI principles. Each one is designed to help the client uncover their own needs—whether emotional, practical, or relational.

These questions don’t tell clients why they need support.

They help clients realize it for themselves.

1. What would it look like to feel supported during this process?

Clients may begin to recognize emotional fatigue, decision paralysis, or the desire for a steady presence to walk beside them.

2. What concerns do you have about communicating directly with your co-parent or partner?

This often surfaces patterns of conflict, miscommunication, or anxiety that a neutral could help manage or mediate.

3. If you had a professional focused only on helping you stay grounded and focused, how might that help you reach your goals?

This allows clients to connect the dots between internal regulation and external results.

4. What’s been hard about making decisions together so far?

This question gently uncovers roadblocks—like power struggles, stuck patterns, or fear of being overpowered—that can be eased by facilitation.

5. How do you imagine your kids might benefit from having this process go more smoothly?

When clients reconnect with their “why,” they often realize that accepting help is one of the most child-centered choices they can make.

When the Client Says It, It Sticks

By asking instead of telling, we return control to the client in a way that feels empowering, not overwhelming. This is especially powerful when clients are vulnerable, reactive, or skeptical.

And when clients say it out loud—“ I think I’d feel safer with someone guiding the conversation ,” or “ This would really help us keep things calm for the kids ”—their resistance begins to soften.

They’re not agreeing because we told them to.

They’re agreeing because it matters to them.

Want the Printable Client Tool?

I’ve turned these five questions into a downloadable handout with gentle checkboxes and reflection prompts—perfect for intake sessions, pre-meeting prep, or follow-up coaching.

�� Contact me to receive the free digital worksheet. Deb@drdebgilman.com

Let’s stop convincing.

Let’s start listening differently.

✨ The most powerful insight is the one that comes from within.

The Ten Pillars of Collaborative Practice

Wed, 28 May 2025 18:01:27 GMT

By Robert Arthur, IACP President

Hi everyone,

It’s been a great month for IACP! Our new website continues to grow, with fresh content appearing daily in the member portal, blogs, and resource areas. If you haven’t explored the portal yet, I encourage you to give it a try—and join the conversation. If you run into any issues, our staff is ready to help.

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending the 13th annual conference of the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals (FACP). I presented a workshop on Building the Future, focused on how we can attract and support younger professionals in Collaborative Practice. It was an inspiring experience and a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with friends—and make new ones. If your practice group is planning a meeting or conference, I’d love to join you!

Our IACP committees are also in full swing, working to support the goals of our Strategic Plan. If you missed the chance to join a committee but would still like to get involved, let us know—we will help you find a good fit.

Starting this month, I’ll be dedicating a part of each President’s Letter to the Ten Pillars of Collaborative Practice. These value statements emerged from our Board of Directors strategic planning process. They help define what sets Collaborative Practice—and IACP—apart.

We began this process by refining our Mission and Vision :

Vision: We envision a world in which all dispute resolution is collaborative, compassionate, and constructive.

Mission: We unite and empower a global network of professionals who are dedicated to transforming conflict resolution using the principles of Collaborative Practice.

That led us to ask: What are the principles of Collaborative Practice? We sometimes say that we are a “like-minded” community. What are we like-minded about? The Ten Pillars are an attempt to capture that spirit. Here they are at a glance:

Empowerment, Holistic Support, Adaptability, Open Communication, Inclusivity, Ethical Integrity, Interdisciplinary Teamwork, Persistence, Confidentiality, Respect.

In future months, I’ll unpack one Pillar at a time. I look forward to exploring them with you.

Collaborative Divorce: A First Class Flight

Fri, 09 May 2025 17:15:01 GMT

You have options for the path your divorce process takes. After a successful, peaceful, and respectful Collaborative Divorce, you and your family may feel as though you’ve had a “first class” flight, at no greater cost than the seats at the back of the airplane. So…which seat will you choose?

A New Chapter for IACP

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 18:14:06 GMT

By Robert Arthur, IACP President

I am honored to begin my term as President of IACP. As we move into this new chapter, we are building on the momentum created under Selina Trigg’s leadership — especially the development of our 2025-2028 Strategic Plan — which you will hear more about soon. I’m excited for the year ahead, and even more excited for what we’re going to build together!

To support the Plan’s goals and strategies, we have realigned our committee structure and appointed energized leaders and members. Last week, we held orientation sessions for committee chairs and new board members. Starting May 1, our committees and board will be working in sync to bring our Plan to life.

If you missed the chance to join a committee but still want to get involved, please reach out! Serving on a committee is the best way to experience the global growth of Collaborative Practice — and it’s incredibly inspiring.

Another huge step forward: we launched our updated website and new member portal ! Big thanks to Executive Director K. Malaika Walton, our staff, and the teams who brought this vision to life. If you have not logged in yet, now is the time. Share a thought, post a question — help shape the conversation.

For my focus as IACP President this year, I have three priorities:

The Ten Pillars of Collaborative Practice — my favorite part of the new Strategic Plan is a set of ten value statements called the Ten Pillars . They have great potential to unify and transform the way our community thinks about Collaborative Practice and about IACP.
Bringing in younger professionals — because our future depends on fresh voices and new leaders.
Bringing the fun back — after some challenging years, I want to celebrate the community spirit that first drew me in at my first Forum and board meeting. We enjoy each other’s company — and it is time we make the most of it.

I am available to present or have conversations about these priorities with any practice group that’s interested. Here’s to a great year ahead — let us set the standard, lift each other higher, and show the world the power of collaboration!

The challenges to maintaining civility and professionalism in the Collaborative Process

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 00:07:00 GMT

Tips on how to overcome the challenge of working with a non-collaborative professional in the Collaborative process.

Litigation or Collaborative Divorce? Know What You’re Signing Up For!

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 17:41:00 GMT

Discover why divorce litigation often fuels conflict and how Collaborative Divorce helps couples reduce fear, improve communication, and reach better outcomes.

24º Foro Anual de Redes y Educación de la IACP: Cambie el Futuro Colaboración - Cómo Importan el Cambio Global y las Redes

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 06:49:00 GMT

24th Annual Networking & Educational Forum: Change the Future Collaborate

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 06:45:00 GMT

Change the Future Collaborate

IACP blogs

Collaborative Divorce: Allied Professionals Strengthen the Team

By Michael P. Sampson

Spreading The Collaborative Practice Way - in Bhutan

By Gloria James-Civetta ﻿

Call for Interest Letter – 2027 Collaborative Practice International Conference

IACP seeks partner for an international conference in 2027

Getting to Know our Global Partners

Thoughts on the flight home from the Basel conference on Collaborative Practice

The Value of Reflection in Collaborative Practice

​The Expanding Value of Divorce Coaching: A Collaborative Lens on Clarity, Process, and Reinvention

From One Flutter to a Global Movement

Collaborative Practice: From a Root Note to a Movement

The Chord Makers: Why Not California…Why Not the US…Why Not the World?

Jamming in Chicago Like It's 1999

The Music Takes Root

The IACP, Practice Groups, UCLA – Supporting Collaborative Practice with Form and Structure

IACP: A Framework for a Coherent Whole

Practice Groups: Composers and Players

Uniform Collaborative Law Act and Rule: Joining the Orchestra, Supporting Its Structure

UCLA/R: A Model for Excellent Practice

Uniform Collaborative Law: Joining the March

Rough Numbers: Taking Up the Beat

Collaborative Practitioners and Practice Groups

Collaborative Listserv: Expanding Collaborative Professional Community

Internet Information: Collaborative Law and Collaborative Divorce

Playing for the People: Collaborative Practice

Conclusion

Divorce by Design: Educating Clients on a Better Way Forward

Divorce by Design: Educating Clients on a Better Way Forward

Bridging the Awareness Gap

Highlighting the Collaborative Team

Empowering Clients Through Education

From Reactive to Intentional

Expanding the Reach of Collaborative Practice

Designing a Better Divorce Experience

Looking Back, Moving Forward

By Robert Arthur, IACP President

Embracing Change, Strengthening Practice

By Robert Arthur

Hope Through Persistence

By Robert Arthur

Collaborative Learning Outside of a Formal Collaborative Practice Group

Author: Ross Evans

Recent Florida Collaborative Divorce Survey Data Provides Insights for Teams around the Globe

Authors: Adam B. Cordover & Dr. Randy Heller

Innovation Through Interdisciplinary Teamwork

By Robert Arthur, IACP President

12 Days of Co-Parenting Calm

Ethical Integrity: The Foundation of Trust

By Robert Arthur

Why Use A 3-Step Divorce Team Mediation and How Does It Work?

Inclusivity: Strengthening Collaborative Practice Through Diverse Perspectives

By Robert Arthur, IACP President

Open Communication: The Foundation of Trust

By Robert Arthur, IACP President

Adaptability: Meeting Clients Where They Are

By Robert Arthur, IACP President

Attention Law and Grad Students - Get Collaboratively Trained!

Holistic Support: Addressing the Whole Picture

By Robert Arthur, IACP President

Empowerment: Putting Clients at the Center

By Robert Arthur, IACP President

Collaborative Divorce, Kids, and Control: Creating Safer Parenting Plans That Actually Work

Rethinking Resistance: How Motivational Interviewing Unlocks Collaboration—and Reveals the Need for Neutrals

The Ten Pillars of Collaborative Practice

By Robert Arthur, IACP President

Collaborative Divorce: A First Class Flight

A New Chapter for IACP

By Robert Arthur, IACP President

The challenges to maintaining civility and professionalism in the Collaborative Process

Litigation or Collaborative Divorce? Know What You’re Signing Up For!

24º Foro Anual de Redes y Educación de la IACP: Cambie el Futuro Colaboración - Cómo Importan el Cambio Global y las Redes

24th Annual Networking & Educational Forum: Change the Future Collaborate

By Gloria James-Civetta

The Expanding Value of Divorce Coaching: A Collaborative Lens on Clarity, Process, and Reinvention