Monday, June 1, 2009

First Ever Collaborative Practice Symposium Examines Benefits of 'Healthy' Divorce

To educate clergy, mental health and financial professionals about a healthy and increasingly productive divorce method, Collaborative Practice, the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York recently held its first ever Professional Symposium, "Reaching Out - An Introduction to Collaborative Practice."

New York, NY (PRWEB) June 1, 2009 -- To educate clergy, mental health and financial professionals about a healthy and increasingly productive divorce method, Collaborative Practice, the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York recently held its first ever Professional Symposium, "Reaching Out - An Introduction to Collaborative Practice."

The Symposium took an in-depth look at the Collaborative Practice model and the ways in which it restructures divorce to empower families in crisis. Held at The Association of the Bar of The City of New York, in Manhattan, attendees included legal, mental health and financial professionals, as well as clergy and other divorce experts. Seminars addressed such topics as Children in Divorce, High Conflict Couples, and Handling Finances of Families in Transition in This Economy.

In addition, award-winning biographer and literary journalist, Deirdre Bair spoke (http://tinyurl.com/pr6zrh) about her personal experience with divorce and her cultural study, Calling It Quits: Late Life Divorce and Starting Over. During her presentation (http://tinyurl.com/qryvbo), Bair revealed the reactions of some judges who support Collaborative Practice as a dispute resolution model.

"One judge, who was sympathetic to Collaborative Practice, told me she had to control herself from, and I quote, 'the rage of hearing cash registers go ca-chink, ca-chink in her head, as the wisest argument for going back and forth over obstacles her clients kept creating," Bair said.

By assembling diverse perspectives from the clergy and legal communities, attendees were able to gain perspective on an often overlooked alternative to litigation.

"We were thrilled at the opportunity to increase awareness of this dispute resolution model so that more families can lead healthy and happy lives during and after divorce." said MaryEllen Linnehan, president of the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals. "The Symposium served as a forum to educate professionals about the Collaborative Practice model, which works to preserve family assets, relationships and most importantly - to protect children in the divorce process. We look forward to empowering more industry professionals and divorcing couples through Symposiums in Long Island and Westchester in the future."

Among those in attendance was Rabbi Eli Blokh, who gained new perspective from the seminar.

"Collaborative Practice is a wonderful way to minimize the stress of a divorce," he said. "The Symposium gave me a new perspective on conflict resolution, and I can now be better advised on options available to people in the community when they are going through a difficult time their lives."

Pastor Elmer Porter Hardy, Jr. of the First Baptist Church of Port Jefferson, New York, also found the Symposium beneficial:

"As a professional clergy person and a child of divorce, the Collaborative Practice Symposium's panel, keynote speaker, breakout sessions, & networking opportunity enhanced my personal perspective on this alternative to conflict resolution & equipped me to offer this invaluable option to my congregation and colleagues" he said.

While litigation has historically been the most widely used dispute resolution model for matrimonial cases in New York City and surrounding areas, more attorneys are turning to Collaborative Practice, in an effort to meet increasing demand during the recession. The Los Angeles Daily Journal article 'In housing slump, breaking up is harder to do' reveals that mediators and collaborative lawyers are being asked to craft ever more creative settlements to preserve assets, as a result of the struggling economy.

Through Collaborative Practice, divorcing couples can resolve disputes respectfully and equitably without going to court. Couples also gain the unique and comprehensive perspectives of a team of professionals, including a divorce coach, child specialist, financial specialist, and attorney, to help the family devise a solution tailored to the specific needs of each family member.

With these diverse perspectives, couples can establish a resolution which addresses their emotional well-being and financial wealth. By working with a financial specialist, couples are able to preserve family assets, which is increasingly important in a challenging economy. By arriving at a mutually beneficial resolution which strives to preserve family assets, both parties can achieve financial security after a divorce. Couples can also address and plan for their children's financial security through Collaborative Practice.

Unlike other divorce resolution models, which put decision-making in the hands of judges and other legal professionals, Collaborative Practice empowers couples to make decisions about their own futures. Through this approach, parties are more likely to remain content with an agreed-upon resolution, rather than a court ruling or litigated settlement. Since Collaborative Practice is less stressful than litigation, during which parties may feel pressure to settle and often endure mental anguish, couples are also able to improve communication skills and reduce future negative consequences for their children.

Due to an overwhelming positive response from attendees, Collaborative Practice Symposiums will be scheduled in Long Island and Westchester County during late 2009 and early 2010.

New York Association of Collaborative Professionals is located at P.O. Box 236, Yaphank, NY 11980. For more information, visit www.collaborativelawny.com.

About the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals:
The New York Association of Collaborative Professionals (NYACP) is an interdisciplinary association of professionals in the fields of law, mental health and finance that serves as the "voice" for Collaborative Practice in the greater New York area. NYACP advocates for a client-centered approach that enables divorcing and transitioning parties to resolve conflicts in a non-adversarial way, preserving dignity and respect while producing positive outcomes. The association helps its members maximize their potential and advance their practices through networking, training and increasing public awareness of the benefits of Collaborative Practice. NYACP is a member of International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), which has over 3,000 members in 19 countries worldwide.

Press Contact:
Danielle Cyr
Co-Communications
860-658-5700

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