What is Cooperative Law

Separation and divorce are often incredibly stressful and emotionally challenging experiences. People frequently receive conflicting advice from friends, coworkers, and family members. While most individuals want to do what is right, they also want to ensure they receive a fair outcome—yet defining what a “fair share” means can be difficult.

The Charleston Cooperative Family Law Association (CCFLA) is not a law firm, but an association of independent family law attorneys and associated financial and mental health professionals who are experienced in family court matters. CCFLA members primarily handle cases involving the division of marital property and debt, spousal support, child custody and visitation, child support, attorneys’ fees and costs, and other related family court issues. When possible, these professionals work cooperatively to resolve matters efficiently and without contentious litigation. Individuals seeking legal or professional services should contact a CCFLA member directly.

Cooperative law works because parties, attorneys, and associated financial and mental health professionals commit to refraining from litigation or court involvement except in bona fide emergencies, voluntarily exchanging necessary financial and other relevant information, and negotiating in good faith. The goal of this process is to minimize acrimony, reduce time, and control expenses. When children are involved, cooperative law also seeks to foster goodwill that can positively influence co-parenting relationships and other aspects of the parties’ lives. While divorce is rarely a positive experience, the cooperative approach can make it less adversarial, less time-consuming, less costly, and less emotionally damaging.

There are circumstances in which disputes cannot be resolved through cooperation. Genuine emergencies or bad-faith conduct may require court intervention. In such cases, CCFLA attorneys remain committed to advocating zealously for the best interests of their individual clients.