Attorney
In New Mexico, we know a thing or two about chili peppers. Some are so fiery they bring tears to your eyes. Others are milder, but with a depth and richness that compliment the other ingredients they are paired with.
Divorce is similar to this in many ways. It can burn you, or be just what you need to move forward with your life again. For couples in the Albuquerque area who want to resolve things respectfully — without turning up the heat — collaborative divorce is often a recipe for success.
This relatively new form of divorce is gaining in popularity, and Attorney Bob Matteucci is one of just a handful of New Mexico family law attorneys trained to handle these cases.
What Is Collaborative Divorce?
Collaborative divorce is a structured, team-based process where both spouses commit to resolving their divorce without going to court. The focus is on moving forward in a way that leaves everyone impacted in the best position possible.
Each spouse hires an attorney trained in collaborative divorce to represent them, but they are not the only people sitting with the couple at the negotiating table. Other trained professionals like accountants, business valuation experts, child specialists, and relationship counselors may also be there to weigh in and help craft a solution everyone is happy with.
Everyone signs a participation agreement committing to open communication, transparency, and staying out of litigation. If the process breaks down and someone wants to go to court, the collaborative team must withdraw, and new attorneys must be hired.
This creates a strong incentive to work through disagreements constructively instead of reaching for the hottest pepper available and scorching everyone’s palate.
Why It’s a Good Fit for High-Asset, Amicable Divorces
Collaborative divorce is especially effective when the stakes are high but the relationship is still civil. It works well for the kind of couples the Matteucci Family Law team often represents — people like business owners, professionals, and families with complex finances — because it’s:
- All About Relationships – Whether you’ll be co-parenting, running a business together post-divorce, or just want to walk away with mutual respect intact, collaborative divorce is designed to keep things civil and constructive.
- Cost-Effective for Complex Cases – While collaborative divorce involves a team, it can be more efficient than traditional litigation. Time isn’t wasted on discovery battles or petty disputes. Instead, you’re solving problems with the right experts at the table from day one.
- Pro Privacy – Unlike litigation, where financial details can become part of the public court record, collaborative divorce keeps sensitive information—like business valuations, trusts, or investment portfolios—confidential.
- Uniquely Customizable – Sitting around the table with a team of supportive professionals allows you to craft agreements that reflect your real-world needs. The thinking is long-term and future focused so you aren’t just getting divorced, you’re getting a new beginning on a firm foundation.
Collaborative divorce is a sophisticated process for smart, capable people who know that fighting isn’t going to help them move forward.
Not Every Pepper Is for Every Dish
Just like not everyone wants green chile on their breakfast burrito, collaborative divorce isn’t the right choice for every couple. If there’s a history of abuse, fear that someone may be hiding assets, or a breakdown in basic trust, a traditional divorce may be more appropriate.
But for many couples, especially those who built a life, and maybe even a business together, collaborative divorce provides a respectful way to dissolve the partnership while honoring the past.
Serving Families with Dignity & Compassion
At Matteucci Family Law, we help clients in New Mexico explore all the options available for ending a marriage without unnecessary conflict. Collaborative divorce is just one of the many varieties of divorce available for people wanting to savor their life instead of burning it all down.
Whether you prefer your divorce hot, mild, or somewhere in between, Attorney Bob Matteucci is here to help. Please contact him today to set up a meeting.