What Is Collaborative Divorce?
The Collaborative process is an alternative to traditional divorce that allows both spouses to resolve divorce proceedings outside the court system. Instead of litigation, each spouse will be represented by a Collaboratively trained attorney, and may include a Divorce Coach, a child specialist, a neutral financial expert, or additional team members for complex legal or emotional issues. This process is designed to reduce conflict, protect minor children, and keep sensitive family law matters private.
How the Collaborative Divorce Process Works
Rather than relying on the court system, the Collaborative divorce process relies on a coordinated legal team and neutral professionals to support informed decision-making. Depending on the case, this may include a Collaborative divorce lawyer for each spouse, and, when appropriate, a mental health professional, a child specialist, or additional team members for complex legal or emotional issues. Everyone involved commits to resolving legal issues without court involvement and focuses on practical, respectful solutions.
Divorce Issues We Address Through the Collaborative Process in Fairfax, VA
At Positive Pathways, we support a wide range of practice areas and family law cases, including:
- Equitable distribution of marital assets (i.e., property division and asset division)
- Real estate and complex asset matters
- Parenting plans and child-focused solutions
- Separation agreement and interest-based divorce settlement negotiations
- Prenuptial agreement review
- Military divorce and related federal considerations
- Support matters involving children and spouses
Each family law matter is handled with care, clarity, and attention to relevant information that impacts your future.
Serving Fairfax and the Surrounding Northern Virginia Area
Our law office serves individuals and families primarily throughout the Northern Virginia area, including:
- Fairfax County
- Arlington County
- Loudoun County
- Prince William County
- City of Alexandria
- Falls Church
A Different Approach to Family Law
Positive Pathways is a Family Law, Mediation, and Coaching practice in Fairfax, Virginia, focused on helping people resolve divorce and family law matters without unnecessary conflict or court involvement.
Our approach to legal services is designed to reduce stress during a difficult time, protect families, and achieve the best possible outcome, especially when children, finances, and ongoing relationships are involved.
About our Founder:
After more than 20 years of litigating family law cases in Virginia, Christine Hissong founded the practice to offer a calmer, more constructive alternative to traditional divorce. Christine is an experienced divorce attorney and Collaborative lawyer who works directly with every client, guiding Collaborative divorce and divorce mediation matters with clarity, structure, and care. She focuses on protecting the attorney-client relationship and guiding clients through complex family law issues with clarity and care.
Christine Hissong is also recognized by Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers for her work in family law.
Is Collaborative Divorce Right for You?
Collaborative divorce works best when both spouses are willing to work with each other respectfully and remain committed to reaching solutions without litigation. It may not be appropriate in every situation, especially where safety concerns or ongoing domestic violence are present. An initial consultation allows us to review your circumstances, explain the legal process, and determine whether Collaborative divorce and divorce mediation is the best fit for your family law issues.
Schedule a Consultation
If you’re considering Collaborative divorce in Fairfax, VA, we invite you to reach out to our Family Law Firm for clear legal advice and steady guidance. Complete our contact form to request a confidential consultation. We’ll walk you through your options, explain next steps, and help you move forward with clarity during this transition.