Please see the statewide chart of enactment of the Uniform Collaborative Law Act (UCLA), with links to state laws.
On August 16, 2021, New Hampshire became the 21st state (plus the District of Columbia) to adopt the Uniform Collaborative Law Act. In 2016, Florida adopted the UCLA in the Uniform Collaborative Law Process Act.
The Florida Legislature joined states that formalized an option to resolve divorces family law professionals conceived in 1990. Florida’s Act works with Florida’s Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.745, Florida’s Rule 4-1.19, Rules Regulating the Florida Bar, and the Florida Supreme Court’s collaborative divorce forms.
History of the Collaborative Movement: Before the Uniform Collaborative Law Act
In 1990, the collaborative concept began as a spark, with one man. Veteran Minnesota family lawyer Stuart Webb admired when family law attorneys worked most creatively and effectively. That was in settlement, when they jointly solved issues, rather than argued positions. He realized, instead of warring in court, people could work with motivated professionals constructively and privately. The “collaborative” team could help couples resolve difficult family law problems.
At the same time, California professionals were developing a team approach to resolving legal issues, including divorces. Great minds kept thinking and thinkers kept working. The spark and movement spread across Florida, the United States and worldwide. Now, 25,000 collaboratively trained lawyers, mental health, financial, and other professionals do collaborative work. They make up 200 collaborative practice groups across 24 countries. These professionals understand Collaborative contract power!