• Chicago Downtown Office
    • 20 N. Clark Street, Suite 3300 Chicago, IL 60602
  • Northbrook, IL Office
    • 5 Revere Drive, Suite 200 Northbrook, IL 60062

Chicago Collaborative Divorce Lawyers

Resolving Your Illinois Divorce Outside the Courtroom Through Collaboration

Lead Attorneys & Managing Partners

Collaborative Divorce Involves Both Spouses Working Together to Reach an Agreement Instead of Operating as Adversaries.

This is an alternative dispute resolution approach to divorce, where the goal is to help a divorcing couple settle their disputes cooperatively without the stress of a courtroom battle.  

Each spouse is represented by their Chicago collaborative divorce attorney and the parties agree ahead of time to settle their disputes collaboratively without resorting to contentious litigation. Both parties work collaboratively to find solutions that satisfy the interests of each party.

Each spouse completes a sworn disclosure statement, comprehensive in scope and similar to the financial affidavits required in most divorce cases.  When both sides work cooperatively, each side is typically more satisfied with the settlements as they have had input and more control in the negotiations.

Why Choose Collaborative Divorce With Anderson Boback & Marshall?

Anderson Boback & Marshall offer skillful negotiation throughout your divorce, helping you to weigh the pros and cons of each proposed solution.

With direct communication between both parties, a Chicago collaborative divorce lawyer will not waste time and effort attempting to force issues of discovery, which often increases legal expenses. Deciding to settle your divorce collaboratively, provides many advantages such as a quicker and less costly divorce settlement. It also allows more privacy of settling your disputes together rather than airing out your marital differences in court.

With collaborative divorce, specific questions may arise depending on the circumstances of each case. Consulting with an Illinois certified collaborative divorce attorney can provide more detailed information tailored to individual situations. To get started, here are some frequently asked questions about collaborative divorce:

In collaborative divorce, the emphasis is on cooperation and negotiation rather than adversarial litigation. Both parties commit to resolving disputes amicably and agree not to go to court. Collaborative  divorce is a team approach, where a multi-disciplinary team of professionals works together to help the parties reach settlements and dissolve their marriage.

Yes, Illinois recognizes and provides certification for Collaborative Divorce attorneys through various training and membership requirements.

certification for Collaborative Divorce attorneys is associated with becoming a member of Collaborative Divorce Illinois (CDI).  To achieve this, attorneys must complete the required training, which includes a Basic Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Training and a 40-hour mediation training .  This certification process ensures that the attorneys are equipped with the necessary skills to facilitate collaborative divorce processes effectively.  Attorney Jessica Sindel of Anderson Boback & Marshall has  advanced past this certification  and been accepted as Collaborate Divorce Illinois Fellow.

In addition to the divorcing couple, collaborative divorce typically involves collaborative attorneys for each spouse, as well as neutral professionals such as financial advisors, mental health professionals, and child specialists if needed. Please review this detailed article for the key benefits of collaborative divorce.

If the collaborative process fails and the parties cannot reach an agreement, they must hire new attorneys to represent them in litigation. This is intended to incentivize both parties and their attorneys to work toward a settlement.
The timeline for a collaborative divorce varies depending on the complexity of the issues involved and the willingness of both parties to cooperate. Generally, collaborative divorces can be resolved more quickly than traditional litigated divorces.
Collaborative divorce is generally best suited for couples who are willing to work together and negotiate in good faith. However, even couples with some level of conflict can benefit from the collaborative process if they are committed to resolving issues amicably.
Yes, each party hires their own collaborative attorney who is trained in the collaborative process. These attorneys advocate for their clients’ interests while also promoting cooperation and negotiation.
Once the parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement through the collaborative process, it is typically formalized into a legally binding divorce settlement agreement that is filed with the court for approval.
Collaborative divorce can be less expensive than traditional litigated divorce since it often involves fewer court appearances, less time spent on legal proceedings, and lower attorney fees.

Collaborative divorce is a structured process where both spouses and their attorneys commit to reaching a settlement without court intervention. This approach often includes neutral financial specialists and family coaches. Collaborative divorce works best when both parties can communicate respectfully and prioritize children’s wellbeing over conflict. ABM attorneys are trained in collaborative law and help clients determine whether this approach suits their circumstances.

Collaborative Divorce vs. Traditional Divorce in Illinois

A collaborative law is not the same as a typical divorce, nor should it be confused with mediation. When couples attempt mediation, the mediator is a neutral third party.  If this method is unsuccessful at resolving divorce disputes, couples are left with two remaining choices, they can either attempt a divorce through collaboration or pursue settling their differences in court.

The collaborative process is ideal for couples that desire to work together and avoid contentious or lengthy litigation. If the divorce is hostile or if there is any history of domestic violence, the collaborative divorce process is generally not suitable.

In a collaborative divorce method, attorneys have no financial incentive to take contested issues to trial. If collaborative efforts break down, and your attorney feels that divorce litigation is necessary, they must actually withdraw from representing you. While you always have the right to take issues to court proceedings, the Chicago collaborative divorce attorney is not allowed to continue with your representation.

How Our Chicago Collaborative Divorce Attorneys Help

A Chicago collaborative divorce attorney helps to facilitate the process which requires complete voluntary disclosure from both parties with no information withheld. Each party must agree on industry experts brought into the process such as real estate appraisers, accountants, child custody, or mental health issues, and agree on sharing the cost. Both parties typically have a strong desire to settle their divorce without court proceedings.

Our experienced Chicago divorce attorneys are skilled with the collaborative process. We know how to evaluate your options and advise you on the proper course of action, based on your rights and interests.

Kimberly Anderson and Jessica Marshall
Anderson Boback & Marshall are knowledgeable on family law in Illinois and skilled in all techniques used to settle divorce disputes. We understand the importance of a quick and cost-efficient divorce, without settling for less than what you deserve. Contact us today to learn more about your options or to speak with an Anderson Boback & Marshall attorney experienced in collaborative divorce.
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What our clients are saying

Excellent
4.7
Natalie E.
I had, what I believed at the time, a simple divorce case that I initially filed on my own. My now ex husband made the case impossibly drawn out, utterly nonsensical, and frustrating. I hired Laura Darby from Anderson Boback & Marshall to represent me because I was exhausted of going in circles trying to get answers from my ex and his attorney. Laura was supportive, experienced, and very responsive with respect to resolving the matter. She jumped into the case and then consistently stayed on top of it to keep it moving along in the court system. I appreciated her insight and the fact that she listened to my concerns and offered reasonable suggestions on how best to proceed. She also kept the cost of services fair and reasonable for someone without a ton of disposable income. Thanks to Laura's efforts the case has finally wrapped up and I'm grateful to be done with it and free. Overall, a fantastic attorney that knows the legal system and does everything in her power to represent your interests.
Response from the owner:It was an absolute joy bringing your matter to a resolution for you! Thank you so much for your kindness and allowing us to advocate for you!
Parth P.
From the moment I had my initial consultation with one of the attorneys on staff, I could tell that I was in good hands. They took the time to understand not only the logistical details of situation, but also the emotional turmoil of going through a divorce process. Their communication throughout was excellent, they seamlessly performed all the necessary work via email and phone calls, and when a tricky situation came up in the 11th hour they navigated it effectively and presented me with options on how we could proceed. Thank you so much!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Parth for your kind words. Our team is honored to serve you and we are thrilled that you are happy with our representation.
Chris D.
I highly recommend the services of Anderson Boback & Marshall. I retained the firm in May 2025 and, thanks to the exceptional work of my attorney, M. Barrett, we reached a desirable agreement with the opposing party in just a few months.
M. Barrett provided incredible strategic development and great advice throughout the entire process. I am especially grateful for the knowledge and confidence they provided during a challenging time. Communication was always prompt and professional.
Furthermore, I was happy with the firm's transparent billing. There were no hidden fees or charges.If you are looking for effective representation and a team that truly delivers, I highly recommend M. Barrett and the team at Anderson Boback & Marshall.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Chris! We’re so glad Monika and our team could guide you through a challenging time with clarity and results. We truly appreciate your trust and recommendation.
Elizabeth Bailey
I really appreciated Laura’s help on my case. She was professional, empathetic, knowledgeable, and very quick to respond. She made an unfortunate situation much more tolerable with her ability to move my case along quickly and easily. Highly recommend.
Audrey Tabon
I’ve been working with Anderson and Boback since 2019 due to the unfortunate complexities of my case. It’s been exhausting and expensive but having this group of powerful attorneys has been pivotal in the success of my case.
Timothy Host
Attorney Jessica's exceptional assistance and success in securing a proper visitation agreement and reuniting me with my daughter surpassed my expectations. Her prompt correspondence and attention to detail were remarkable, ensuring efficient communication and leaving no aspect of my case overlooked.
Paul Cavill
Laura was my assigned Attorney and she was very professional and did an excellent job. Great advice and did everything as quickly and easily as possible. I couldn't of gone through the unfortunate process I had to and got the outcome I did without her. Highly recommend.
Dan Strickland
Words cannot express the gratitude I have for Jessica Marshall and her team. As a father who was no longer present in the USA, I was facing a monumental task to get access to my daughter in the face of extreme hostility. She made the impossible happen, and I’ll forever be in her debt.
Kelly Olsen
We never go into a marriage thinking I have a great divorce attorney if this doesn’t work out. However, Laura Darby is the attorney you want in your back pocket if you do have to go through a divorce! Laura is extremely knowledgeable, caring, and will advocate for her clients. She will provide realistic, clear, and yet supportive guidance to her clients.
Karen Mae
If you’re looking for a smart, reliable divorce attorney, look no further. I was able to collect many years of back support with the assistance of this office. Jessica Marshall really knows what she is doing and I felt that my outcome was fair. You really do get what you pay for.
Rob Backeberg
My experience with Anderson & Boback was nothing short of professional, efficient and caring. My lawyer, Jessica Marshall, provided a strong sense of guidance, reassurance and a human touch during a very difficult and complicated legal process. Highly recommend Jessica and her team.
Raza K.
Jessica is a dedicated, intelligent and a skillful attorney. Her arguments are skillfully articulated. She helped me in getting my divorce finalized in 2018. She then helped in getting the past due child support from my X-spouse and then recently in getting the maintenance alimony payments settled. I would highly recommend their services.
Joanna Kieplin
Jessica C. Marshall , partner at Anderson & Bobak is one of the best attorneys I had a pleasure to work with! I wish I had found her sooner in my divorce process. I had a post decree military pension issue and it was resolved quickly, efficiently and effectively. I didn’t even have to go to court or interact with my ex- spouse. The billing was also very straightforward and honest. Highly recommended attorney!

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    Chicago Downtown Office

    20 N. Clark Street, Suite 3300 Chicago, IL 60602

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    5 Revere Drive, Suite 200 Northbrook, IL 60062

    Firm Overview
    Anderson Boback & Marshall

    Anderson Boback & Marshall is a Chicago family law firm focused exclusively on divorce, custody, and support matters. We offices in Northbrook and Downtown Chicago, we serve families across Cook, DuPage, Lake, and Will counties from our Chicago Loop and Northbrook offices.

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