How is a lawyers relationship with a client different in the collaborative divorce process, and how do lawyers prepare clients for it?

First, the lawyer never ceases to be the client's advocate and the client is so assured. By entering into the participation agreement, the client has already decided and declared the intent to neither threaten nor pursue litigation (an entitlement, however, which the client never waives). Now the objective is to discern and attempt to satisfy the interests of all parties. To that end, all parties and counsel must cooperate. Counsel will encourage their clients to speak candidly about their own needs and desires, and to listen carefully to those expressed by others. Collaborative divorce lawyers remind and reassure their clients that by treating the other side's interests with respect, they are serving their client's goals and interests. Collaborative divorce lawyers are trained in collaborative communication skills and will assist the parties in this endeavor. Divorce coaches provide training in communication skills for each client.  more