How does a Florida Collaborative divorce formally begin?

The process begins when both spouses and both attorneys sign a Collaborative law participation agreement. Under Fla. Stat. § 61.57, this signed agreement is what starts the Collaborative process. The agreement commits both parties to work toward a settlement without going to court and includes the parties' agreement that, if the process ends without resolution, both Collaborative attorneys will withdraw and cannot represent either spouse in subsequent litigation. Once signed, the participation agreement governs the process from start to finish.