Sad looking siblings with their arguing parents behind them

The Essence of Collaborative

ByTheresa Beran Kulat May 8, 2017 Collaborative Process, Family Law

“There has to be a balance of head and heart, where both are engaged and both are honored,” Kulat said. “You can’t be all gushy-gushy Kumbaya because that doesn’t satisfy the needs of your client to analyze the numbers, but if you go into this [with your head only], you won’t connect with the client and empathize.”

As president of the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois, I was interviewed by The North Shore Weekend. Read Joanna Brown’s great article in The North Shore Weekend – it really captures the essence of Collaborative!

Theresa Beran Kulat

+ posts

Collaborative Process | For Collaborative Professionals
All Endings are Beginnings
ByTheresa Beran Kulat November 6, 2017
Over the next few weeks, I will be wrapping up my term as President of the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois (CLII). A member since it was created in 2002, I have served in many capacities as it has evolved from a grassroots group of professionals committed to humanizing the divorce process to a more…
Read More All Endings are Beginnings
Family Law | Financial Disclosure | Mediation | Trinity Family Law Process
How to Prepare for Divorce Mediation
ByTheresa Beran Kulat November 5, 2021September 30, 2026
If you and your partner have made the decision to use the divorce mediation process to conclude your marriage, here are some tips that can help you prepare and make the most of the process. Know what you have. You cannot begin to think about your future until you understand what you have, so do…
Read More How to Prepare for Divorce Mediation
Collaborative Law | Family Law | Mediation
Expanding Our Divorce Mediation Practice
ByTheresa Beran Kulat July 29, 2021October 5, 2026
As a law practice dedicated to helping people through one of the most significant and difficult changes in life, we are always looking for ways to aid this process. Recently, this led to our decision to move our office to a new space in Oakbrook Terrace that supports the work we do. (You can read…
Read More Expanding Our Divorce Mediation Practice
Collaborative Process | For Collaborative Professionals
Collaborative Divorce via Zoom
ByTheresa Beran Kulat May 14, 2020October 5, 2026
As social distancing and shelter-in-place have become the norm, the legal world – like other business sectors – is rapidly adapting to serve the needs of clients. This means that virtual meeting platforms, like Zoom or GoTo Meeting, are being integrated. Because the Collaborative Process relies on team meetings to bring clients and divorce professionals…
Read More Collaborative Divorce via Zoom
Collaborative Process | Daily Life | Family Law | Parenting
Families and COVID-19
ByTheresa Beran Kulat March 21, 2020
As Illinois adjusts to the new circumstances that COVID-19 has brought to us, families are feeling the strain. An intact family will face challenges of new routines, reduced mobility and general anxiety due to uncertainty. Parents who have divorced and have been co-parenting under a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage have an added layer of…
Read More Families and COVID-19
Collaborative Process
Non-Adversarial Divorce – What Exactly Does this Mean?
ByTheresa Beran Kulat April 26, 2017
As a non-adversarial divorce attorney, people say to me: “Can you really advocate for your client if you are non-adversarial?” I interpret this to mean something along the lines of “Don’t you have to put on your boxing gloves to win?” We use different language in our office. We dispense with a “win-lose” mentality and…
Read More Non-Adversarial Divorce – What Exactly Does this Mean?

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What People are Saying

Theodora Ntovas-Roth

I strongly recommend Theresa Beran Kulat and her services. My husband and I found the experience to be helpful in guiding us through our divorce while also helping us maintain a relationship. In additon, her services are about keeping people together rather to "not divorce" or to maintain a friendship after the divorce. If you don't want to go through a resentful process reach out to Theresa I think you'll find her very helpful. Thank you Thersa!!

Gary Palsis

Theresa is exactly the kind of person you want handling your divorce if you are trying to make it through as amicably as possible. She was the guiding light that I needed to help me through this trying time. She is also just an all around warm and kind person.

roman ebert

Theresa explained the process and what to expect very well. She and her staff helped guide us through the uncomfortable process and was patient. Very responsive when needed. The collaborative approach is a less stressful and more compassionate approach and I know I made the right decision.

Michael Tirman

Sandra was thorough, professional, patient and flexible with me. She did a wonderful job advocating on my behalf and I would recommend her services to anyone needing help.

Mary Ennis

My ex and I are so happy that we chose Theresa to lead us through our emotional divorce journey. We were impressed with her incredible warmth, professionalism, and depth of knowledge. Personally, I am grateful for the way she educated me in bite size pieces on the financial aspects of divorce, and wouldn't move on to the next step until I understood the first. We encountered a few obstacles, and inevitably it was Theresa who pushed the ball down the field. If you are hoping to end your marriage with dignity, respect, and dare I say friendship with your ex..... you've come to the right place. A million thank-you's, Theresa.

Susan J

My husband and I engaged Trinity Family Law and Theresa Kulat at a critical decision point about our long-standing marriage. Theresa laid out the full range of options (from status quo to divorce) clearly in our introductory session; we embarked on a Transformational Mediation journey to determine the appropriate path forward. Theresa’s compassionate, creative approach to discussions about difficult and intimate issues has greatly improved our ability to connect more deeply and honestly. She brings a varied toolbox of exercises and prompts that she customizes for each person’s particular situation and state of mind. Her process drives towards resolution, but embraces all the emotional challenges that come with confronting the need for change in life and relationships. We would highly recommend Theresa as a mediator and facilitator.

Wayne A

I worked with Theresa Beran Kulat and the Trinity Family Law team to complete my divorce in less than one year. I had hope to use the Collaborative process but, in the end, followed a non-adversarial, uncontested approach. Theresa clearly explained what a judge would allow in the asset division and where there was room to negotiate. I appreciated her approach in being honest in presenting the facts and data but negotiated hard for the best settlement. When obstacles were encountered Theresa presented me with different approaches to deal with the barrier. What initially sold me on Theresa was the upfront time she spent explaining the process, even before I retained her. That was very helpful in my selection of an attorney versus other approaches, such as, litigation or DIY divorce. In my professional career I have work with many corporate attorneys and learned quickly divorce attorneys do not have the same sense of urgency and are extremely slow. Theresa and the TFL team did an extremely great job of keeping the case moving forward, following up on open items and keeping me updated along the way. Great! I would highly recommend Theresa and Trinity Family Law for a Collaborative or uncontested divorce.

Susanne Johnson

Theresa & her staff are both knowledgeable as well as compassionate. Theresa did a fantastic job explaining the ins and outs of the collaborative divorce process, and did not pressure to pursue this type of process. She was a consummate professional & I would highly recommend her!

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