The participation agreement is the document that launches a collaborative divorce and sets its ground rules. Both spouses and their attorneys agree to share information openly, to negotiate respectfully, and to keep the matter out of court while the process continues. It is what separates a collaborative divorce from ordinary settlement talks.
The agreement also contains the withdrawal provision that requires both attorneys to step aside if the case goes to litigation. A collaborative divorce lawyer in Tallahassee makes sure each spouse understands that commitment before signing, since it shapes the leverage on both sides.