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 Ethical Standards

 

 

 

 

 

Ethical Guidelines for Participating Attorneys of DivorceConnections.comTM

 

Attorneys:

The DivorceConnections.comTM process requires attorneys to practice in a way that permits a "team" approach in reaching a cooperative resolution. This method of practice includes the following skills and behaviors:

 

1.      The attorneys advise their respective clients of the laws that apply to the circumstances of each party (client) to the process.

2.      The attorneys sign a separate retainer/fee agreement with each client.

3.      Attorney’s actions and behaviors are a model for their clients and demonstrate a commitment to honesty, dignified behavior and mutual respect.

4.      The attorneys guide their clients through a process of "cooperative conflict" where disagreements between the parties are used for the productive purpose of finding creative solutions to reach a cooperative settlement.

5.      The attorneys practice active listening for their clients and show them how to hear and understand what is important to the opposing party so that the interests of both parties are promoted.  Each attorney represents his or her client's interests while validating the other party's interests.

6.      The attorneys bring stability and reason to emotionally charged situations and are agents of reality for clients.  Each attorney uses clear, conciliatory language in speaking and writing while advocating his or her client's position.

7.      The attorneys cooperate with each other and other Professional Members of DivorceConnections.comTM to support the need for and provide honest and complete disclosure and discovery.

8.      The attorneys cooperate in setting reasonable deadlines for the completion of assignments and tasks.

9.      The attorneys remain committed to settlement despite impasse and refrain from using such adversarial techniques or tactics as "we'll see you in Court." While court involvement is always an option within this process, it is considered the least desirable option for resolution and the attorneys will only file motions after discussion has not resolved the issue or in an emergency.

10.   The attorneys are committed to finding and exploring all effective ways to assist parties in reaching agreement and overcoming impasses, for example, mediation and case evaluation by other Professional Members of DivorceConnections.comTM.

11.   Attorneys are encouraged to explore the needs of clients as they relate to the products/services provided by other Professional Members of DivorceConnections.com and actively refer clients to those Professional Members best suited to deliver those products/services.

12.   Attorneys agree to adhere to all ethical and procedural guidelines as established by DivorceConnections.com Advisory Board as well as all other ethical and professional standards required in their profession.

Counselors – Psychologists, Family Therapists and/or Divorce Coaches

 

The DivorceConnections.comTM process requires counselors to practice in a way that permits a "team" approach to reaching a cooperative resolution.   This method of practice is not traditional therapy in which the client and therapists engage in a process of analyzing behavior in the context of a client's past history. The counselor functions as a "coach" by assisting the client to focus on the legal concern at hand and its impact on the client and his/her family.  This method of practice includes the following skills and behaviors:

 

1.      Counselors advise their respective clients to focus on the current set of circumstances.

2.      The counselors sign a separate retainer/fee agreement with each client.

3.      Counselor’s actions and behaviors are a model for their clients and demonstrate a commitment to honesty, dignified behavior and mutual respect.

4.      Counselors "coach" their clients through a process of "cooperative conflict" where disagreements between the parties are used for the productive purpose of finding creative solutions to reach a cooperative settlement.

5.      Counselors practice active listening for their clients and show them how to hear and understand what is important to the opposing party so that the interests of both parties are promoted. Each counselor represents his or her client's interests while respecting the other party's right to his or her position.

6.      Counselors bring stability and reason to emotionally charged situations and are agents of reality for clients.  Each counselor uses coaching techniques which convey clear, conciliatory language in speaking and writing while advocating his or her client's position.

7.      Counselors cooperate with each other, other Professional Members of DivorceConnections.comTM and clients in setting reasonable deadlines for the completion of tasks.

8.      Counselors will remain committed to settlement despite impasse.

9.      Counselors are committed to finding and exploring effective ways to assist parties in reaching agreement and overcoming impasses, for example, mediation and case evaluation by other Professional Members of DivorceConnections.comTM.

10.   Counselors are encouraged to explore the needs of clients as they relate to the products/services provided by other Professional Members of DivorceConnections.com and actively refer clients to those Professional Members best suited to deliver those products/services.

11.  Counselors agree to adhere to all ethical and procedural guidelines as established by DivorceConnections.com Advisory Board as well as all other ethical and professional standards required in their profession.

 

 Financial Consultants

 

The DivorceConnections.comTM Process requires financial consultants to practice in a way that permits a "team" approach to reaching a cooperative resolution.  This method of practice is different because the Financial Consultant is not necessarily working for an individual client; he or she is working toward a fair and equitable resolution of the financial situation and future needs. This method of practice includes the following skills and behaviors:

 

 

1.      Financial Consultants advise the clients regarding the current financial situation.

2.      The financial consultants sign a separate retainer/fee agreement with each client.

3.      Financial consultant’s actions and behavior are a model for their clients and demonstrate a commitment to honesty, dignified behavior and mutual respect.

4.      Financial consultants advise their clients through a process of "cooperative conflict" where disagreements between the parties is used for the productive purpose of finding creative solutions to reach a cooperative settlement.

5.      Financial consultants practice active listening for their clients and show them how to hear and understand what is important to the opposing party so that the interests of both parties in reaching a settlement of the financial issues in the case.

6.      Financial consultants bring stability and reason to emotionally charged situations and are agents of reality for the occasionally unreasonable client. Each financial consultant uses techniques which convey clear, conciliatory language in speaking and writing while advocating possible resolutions for conflict.

7.      Financial consultants cooperate with each Professional Member of DivorceConnections.comTM to support the need for and provide honest and complete disclosure and discovery of financial information.

8.      Financial consultants cooperate with other Professional Members of DivorceConnections.comTM and clients in setting reasonable deadlines for the completion of assignments and tasks.

9.      Financial consultants remain committed to settlement despite impasse.

10.   Financial consultants are committed to finding and exploring effective ways to assist parties in reaching agreement and overcoming impasses, for example, mediation and case evaluation by neutral experts.

11.   Financial consultants are encouraged to explore the needs of clients as they relate to the products/services provided by other Professional Members of DivorceConnections.com and actively refer clients to those Professional Members best suited to deliver those products/services.

12.   Financial consultants agree to adhere to all ethical and procedural guidelines as established by DivorceConnections.com Advisory Board as well as all other ethical and professional standards required in their profession.

  Mediators

 

The DivorceConnections.comTM process requires mediators to practice in a way that permits a "team" approach to reaching a cooperative resolution.  This method of practice is similar to the traditional approach to family mediation, however, the Mediator works with a team to insure the best possible results. This method of practice includes the following skills and behaviors:

 

 

1.      Mediators advise their respective clients to focus on the current set of circumstances.

2.      Mediators sign a separate retainer/fee agreement with each client.

3.      Mediator actions and behaviors are a model for their clients and demonstrate a commitment to honesty, dignified behavior and mutual respect.

4.      Mediators facilitate agreement through a process of alternative dispute resolution finding creative solutions to reach a cooperative settlement.

5.      Mediators practice active listening for their clients and show them how to hear and understand what is important to the opposing party so that the interests of both parties are promoted.

6.      Mediators bring stability and reason to emotionally charged situations and are agents of reality for the occasional unreasonable client.

7.      Mediators cooperate with each Professional Member of DivorceConnections.comTM to support the need for honest and complete disclosure and discovery.

8.      Mediators cooperate with other Professional Members of DivorceConnections.comTM and clients in setting reasonable deadlines for the completion of assignments and tasks.

9.      Mediators remain committed to settlement despite impasse.

10.   Mediators are committed to finding and exploring effective ways to assist parties in reaching agreement and overcoming impasses, for example, case evaluation by neutral experts.

11.   Mediators are encouraged to explore the needs of clients as they relate to the products/services provided by other Professional Members of DivorceConnections.com and actively refer clients to those Professional Members best suited to deliver those products/services.

12.  Mediators agree to adhere to all ethical and procedural guidelines as established by DivorceConnections.com Advisory Board as well as all other ethical and professional standards required in their profession.

 

Others Service Providers:

 

The DivorceConnections.comTM process requires all Other Professional Members to provide products and/or services in a way that permits a "team" approach to reaching a cooperative resolution.  This business practice is intended to help the client progress toward a fair and equitable resolution. This method of practice includes the following skills and behaviors:

 

 

1.      Other service providers advise their respective clients to focus on the current set of circumstances.

2.      Other service providers sign a separate retainer/fee agreement each client.

3.      Other service providers’ actions and behaviors are a model for their clients and demonstrate a commitment to honesty, dignified behavior and mutual respect.

4.      Other service providers help identify creative solutions to reach a cooperative settlement.

5.      Other service providers practice active listening for their clients and show them how to hear and understand what is important to the opposing party so that the interests of both parties are promoted.

6.      Other service providers bring stability and reason to emotionally charged situations and are agents of reality for the occasional unreasonable client.

7.      Other service providers cooperate with each Professional Member of DivorceConnections.comTM to support the need for and to provide honest and complete disclosure and discovery.

8.      Other service providers cooperate with other Professional Members of DivorceConnections.comTM and clients in setting reasonable deadlines for the completion of assignments and tasks.

9.      Other service providers remain committed to settlement despite impasse.

10.   Other service providers are committed to finding and exploring effective ways to assist parties in reaching agreement and overcoming impasses, for example, case evaluation by neutral experts.

11.   Other service providers are encouraged to explore the needs of clients as they relate to the products/services provided by other Professional Members of DivorceConnections.com and actively refer clients to those Professional Members best suited to deliver those products/services.

12.   Other service providers agree to adhere to all ethical and procedural guidelines as established by DivorceConnections.com Advisory Board as well as all other ethical and professional standards required in their profession.

 

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