SB3943 - Uniform Collaborative Law Act

• Creates the Uniform Collaborative Law Act to establish a legal framework for collaborative law processes in family and domestic relations matters, including divorce, child custody, alimony, adoption, and related agreements.

• Requires collaborative law participation agreements to be in writing, signed by all parties, identify the collaborative lawyers representing each party, and describe the nature and scope of the matter being resolved.

• Disqualifies collaborative lawyers and their law firm associates from representing parties in tribunal proceedings related to the collaborative matter, except to approve agreements, seek emergency orders, or represent low-income parties or government entities under specified conditions.

• Establishes confidentiality and privilege protections for collaborative law communications, with exceptions for public information, threats of bodily injury or crime, communications used to plan or conceal crimes, and final settlement agreements.

• Provides that collaborative law processes are concluded by resolution of the matter, termination by a party, or commencement of litigation, with a 30-day grace period to engage a successor lawyer before the process terminates.