Collaborative law is outside the court system, except for the necessary pleadings to obtain the final order. In a collaborative setting, the spouses or parents come together with a neutral to work out the differences that exist between them. The parties agree in the beginning to stay out of court and to negotiate in good faith. To "stay out of court" is not to deny either party the right to go to court if negotiations fail, but to state that every effort will be made to avoid going to court. Participants negotiate in good faith by being open about assets, debts, and desires for custody and visitation. The lawyers that are involved cease their involvement if the negotiations break down and the parties go to court; in this way, neither party has an upper hand in litigation. Should the matter require an expert, the parties share the cost and that expert is also excluded from participating in litigation. Collaboration is about working with each other to create an agreed order that works for your family.