Are children involved in the collaborative process?

In some instances, we’ve actually had pictures of the children with us while we’re talking about them and discussing what’s in their best interest. They’re not necessarily involved in the case itself – for instance, being interviewed or directly providing their input – but we do use a method of finding out what’s in their best interest and then relaying that information to the collaborative team.

Founding partner of McGaughey & Spirito in Redondo Beach, California, Joe Spirito has been practicing family law since 1982 and is currently serving as secretary of the Los Angeles County Bar’s Family Law Section.