SOLICITORS in Salisbury have got together with other firms to come up with a document to guide people through divorce and separation.

Sampson Coward belongs to a ‘collaborative pod’, which has come up with a comprehensive guide as to what to expect, the different stages and processes couples have to go through and advice on how to manage problems that arise.

The firm is publicising the guide during Family Dispute Resolution Week this week, aimed at highlighting the alternatives to court for separating couples and their families, for example by instructing a collaborative lawyer, or by attending mediation.

Salisbury and Andover Collaborative Pod comprises a group of professionals including lawyers, IFAs and relationship coaches who are trained to deal with separating couples as a team.

At the beginning of a case both lawyers and their clients sign an agreement committing to not using the court, other than to approve any agreement reached.

Correspondence is kept to a minimum, with most of the work being carried out in meetings involving both clients, their lawyers and other professionals if appropriate.

It allows disputes to be resolved with respect with the clients remaining in control of the process and the pace of it.

The pod’s guide is at salisburypod.wordpress.