At Protorae Law, we are proud to announce Rebecca Bricken Kinsel’s ongoing leadership and involvement with the Collaborative Professionals of Virginia (CPNV).
What is Collaborative Divorce? (The “No-Court” Pledge)
As highlighted by the CPNV, Collaborative Divorce is a revolutionary model built on a single, uncompromising principle: The parties pledge in writing to reach a settlement without ever going to court.
In a traditional divorce, the threat of “seeing you in front of a judge” is often used as a tactical weapon. In the Collaborative process, that weapon is removed. If the process breaks down and either party chooses to litigate, both attorneys must withdraw. This “disqualification clause” ensures that everyone, lawyers and clients alike, is 100% incentivized to find a creative, durable solution.
The Value Added: How “Certified Collaborative” Changes Your Outcome
Being a certified collaborative attorney is a shift in negotiation strategy. Traditional litigation is positional (I want X, you want Y). Collaborative practice is interest-based (Why is X important to you? How can we both achieve our goals?).
How this manifests for you practically:
- A Professional Team, Not a Legal Battle: Instead of each spouse hiring “dueling experts” to fight over the value of a business or pension, Becky works with a neutral team. This often includes a Financial Neutral to untangle complex assets and a Child Specialist to act as the “voice of the children.”
- Privacy for Professional Lives: For many of our clients, discretion is a top priority. Unlike the public record of a courtroom, collaborative sessions are entirely private. This protects your financial disclosures and personal history from public scrutiny—a vital benefit for business owners, executives, and those with sensitive professional clearances.
- Customized, Not “Cookie-Cutter”: Judges are often bound by rigid, one-size-fits-all legal guidelines. Becky uses the Collaborative model to craft schedules and settlements that reflect the reality of your specific life, whether that involves complex business ownership, federal pay scales, or unconventional work travel.
The Logistical Advantage: Control and Efficiency
One of the greatest stressors in a divorce is the loss of control. The court dictates your deadlines, your hearing dates, and ultimately, your future.
With Becky and the Collaborative Process, you regain that control:
- Your Timeline: Meetings are scheduled around your life, not the court’s crowded docket.
- Your Decisions: You and your spouse remain the ultimate decision-makers. You don’t have to worry about a judge, who has only seen you for a few hours, deciding your family’s fate.
- Your Future Relationship: Because the process is built on “Divorce with Dignity,” it preserves the ability to co-parent or move forward without the scorched-earth bitterness often left behind by trial.
Transition, Not Trauma
Becky Kinsel has spent her career in the trenches of complex litigation. She knows the cost, financial and emotional, of a “win” in court. By choosing a collaborative path with a seasoned trial attorney, you aren’t choosing a “soft” option; you are choosing a smart option.
Ready to Navigate Your Next Chapter?
Choosing the right path for your divorce is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make for your family and your financial future. Whether you require the structured, private environment of a Collaborative Divorce or the assertive representation of a seasoned trial team, Becky Kinsel and the Domestic Relations team at Protorae Law are equipped to guide you.
Contact us to schedule a confidential consultation and discover if the Collaborative Process is the right fit for your family.