Collaborative Divorce Checklist
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Bringing Clarity to the Finish Line: A Final Steps Checklist for Collaborative Cases

ByJennie Bouska

One of the most critical phases in any collaborative case comes after the clients have reached agreement. The relief and momentum of resolution can quickly become complicated by a simple question: Who’s handling what now?

Jennie Bouska, a CPW member, and a board member of King County Collaborative Law (KCCL) and of Collaborative Law Professionals of Pierce County (CLPPC), recently shared a practical solution to this common challenge—a Final Steps Checklist that brings clarity and accountability to case completion.

The Problem We All Know Too Well

You’ve done the hard work. The clients are aligned. But then comes the flurry of follow-up: Who’s drafting the QDRO instructions? Has the financial neutral submitted final reports? Did both clients complete their parenting seminars? When are we filing?

Without clear tracking, important tasks slip through the cracks, deadlines get missed, and what should be a smooth conclusion becomes confusing for the entire team.

How the Checklist Solves It

This straightforward tool organizes all final deliverables by team role—Attorneys, Financial Neutral, Collaborative Coach, and Clients—with columns for tracking who’s responsible, due dates, and completion dates.

The checklist covers everything from initial pleadings and separation agreements to retirement account statements and parenting seminar certificates. It even includes a reminder about the 90-day estimate for filing final orders and scheduling the final team meeting.

The Impact on Your Practice

Having this structure in place means:

  • No more ambiguity about task ownership
  • Reduced follow-up emails asking “has anyone done X yet?”
  • Better client experience with a clear path to finalization
  • Professional accountability across the entire collaborative team

Adapting It for Your Practice

While this checklist was created by CLPPC, the concept is easily adaptable to any collaborative practice. The key is having a shared document that everyone can reference and update as the case moves toward closure.

Download the Final Steps Checklist here to use in your own practice.

You can learn more about Collaborative Law Professionals of Pierce County and their resources at piercecollaborativelaw.com.Thanks to Jennie Bouska and CLPPC for sharing this practical tool with the collaborative community.

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