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What is a Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS) and how to become a CDS Aligned Law Firm?

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A CDS Aligned Law Firm is one that has staff that have completed the Certified Divorce Specialists (CDS) Program – a comprehensive training for professionals in various industries who wish to provide better services to their divorcing clients

The CDS curriculum consists of a specialized communication skills training with a focus on integrating those skills in a client-session environment. It also highlights specific legal, financial, mental health, and real estate information that are integral to the divorce process. 

What does this mean for Divorcing Clients?

It means that the CDS Aligned Law Firm has gone above and beyond to make sure that it has staff who are equipped with unique skills and divorce-specific information to manage a
better experience for all parties involved.

About the Program

This CDS program is a highly involved and participatory 16-hour course. It consists of a specialized communication skills training with a focus on integrating those skills in a client-session environment. It also highlights specific legal, financial, mental health, and real estate information that are integral to the divorce process. The CDS curriculum is filled with experiential learning, including a comprehensive manual, several exercises, and time to practice your new skills. You are sure to come out of the training enlightened and empowered.

Communication

Essential communication skills professionals need to understand and work with divorcing clients to build and maintain a productive client relationship.

Language & Culture

How to understand the unique language and culture of the divorce process and the specific needs and wants divorcing clients may have. From terminology to traditions, the CDS Program covers a wide range of important topics all divorce professionals should know.

Systems

The holistic fundamental elements of the divorce process through its various stages, including the instrumental professionals and industries. CDS Designees know whom, how and when to bring into the case to help support their divorcing clients.
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CDS Aligned Law Firms know that the best investment is to invest in their staff

Your team of Attorneys, Paralegals, Legal Assistants, and Legal Secretaries will learn...

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Communication Skills

One of the most challenging aspects of serving divorcing clients is having to communicate and build a professional/client relationship with individuals who are at the beginning or midst of an extremely painful process, both emotionally and financially. Most are experiencing a plethora of unhealthy and unproductive negative emotions that will ultimately guide their behaviors and choices. In order to help them navigate this turbulent process in an efficient manner, you must be able to communicate in a way that your client has clarity, comfort, and confidence. Part 1 of the CDS™ training strictly focuses on learning valuable tools to successfully manage your divorcing client both practically and emotionally.

Part I Topics

  • Introduction to the CDS training program
  • CDS Benefits
  • Levels of Learning
  • NLP Communication Model
  • Emotional State Management
  • Perceptual Positioning
  • Avoiding resistance and maintaining co-operation with your clients
  • Effective methods of information gathering and precision questioning
  • Managing Expectations
  • The Seven Stages of the Professional/Client Session Cycle
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Fundamental Elements

When a couple decides to divorce, they begin a long drawn out journey to separate their lives and begin new ones on their own. Aside from the legal steps necessary to end the marriage, the process involves several changes in various other areas including finance, real estate and mental health. Although you might have knowledge in one or more of the areas listed above, if your firm provides a service to a divorcing individual, couple, or family, it is imperative for your team to have a holistic understanding on ALL the parts that are involved and that your client will need help with. There are many areas that require either collaboration or a basic understanding in order to properly help your clients make the right decisions. One simple choice or step can affect the entire process either negatively or positively. To better serve your clients, this section of the CDS training focuses on the fundamental aspects of the divorce process that directly affect those going through it.

to learn more call 1-888-623-7365 EXT 705

Part II Topics

By Industry:

  • The Various Legal Professionals Who Might Be Involved
  • Different Types of Divorces
  • Divorce Process Options
  • Important Factors in a Divorce Settlement
  • The Parenting Plan
  • The Importance of Staying Up-to-Date with the Latest Laws (Both Federal and Local)
  • Same Sex Divorce
  • Military Divorce

Why should divorcing clients work with a
Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS) Aligned Law Firm?

DIVORCE EDUCATED

GREATER RESOURCES

BETTER PREPARED

Legal Professionals who complete the Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS) Program:

  • Have a holistic understanding of important legal, financial, mental health and residential implications on the divorce process.
  • Know the various stages their clients will be experiencing based on the type of divorce process they have chosen such as mediation, collaborative or litigation.
  • Are aware of the many legal, financial, mental health and residential professionals that are an important part of the process and when they might be needed for their divorcing clients.
  • Have access to fellow CDS Alumni from across the country that can be valuable resources for divorcing clients.
  • Have learned unique tools to help communicate more effectively with their divorcing clients and provide a better experience.
  • Understand the implications divorce has on children and are committed to consider their best interest throughout the process.
  • Recognize the emotional distress divorce causes and believe in supporting clients with empathy and individualized attention.
  • Receive personalized marketing materials

What CDS Aligned Firms Are Saying...


"Having all of my staff gone through the Certified Divorce Specialist Program has improved my practice in various ways. In addition to being more effective when communicating with our divorcing clients, they are also much more effiicient with their time!
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Debra Whitson
Attorney/Owner
New York, USA
" “We pride ourselves on delivering quality legal services to our clients so last year we had all of our staff CDS Certified and are now a proud CDS Aligned firm. I cannot say enough about this transformational program that has made our team more effective communicators who can listen with empathy and deliver information in a way that makes our clients feel, seen, and heard. The skills adopted during this training have improved the quality of legal representation we provide by building our clients' trust and confidence in our team, quickly and effectively. All professionals who work with divorcing clients would benefit from the communication skills gained through the CDS program.”."
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Paul Riley
Lawyer/Managing Director
Ontario/ Canada

Practices employing staff who complete the Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS) Program...

  • Receive personalized marketing materials to differentiate their firm as a Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS) Aligned Firm.
  • May use the CDS Aligned Badge on their company marketing materials.
  • Represent themselves to prospective clients as a company that is better equipped to handle their divorce needs.
  • Receive a company listing in the CDS® Directory.
  • Are connected with other CDS® Legal, Financial, Mental Health and Residential Professionals Internationally, providing great, resources, exposure and possible collaborations.
  • Have a team equipped with a holistic understanding of the entire divorce process and unique communication skills to manage a better experience for all parties involved.
  • Can expect improvement of internal and external company communications.

For more information on how to become a CDS Aligned firm and please email [email protected]
or call
1-800-371-8196

BE BECOMING A CDS™ ALIGNED FIRM YOU WILL MAKE SURE THAT YOUR STAFF...

  • Are equipped with valuable communication skills
  • Are aware of all the players involved in the process and when they might be needed a resource
  • Understand the legal, financial, mental health and residential implications on the process
  • Are consistently connecting and learning from other divorce professionals to stay up-to-date
  • Will provide the special care that you and your family deserve
  • Have one or more staff members that have completed the CDS™ Program and passed the assessment
  • May use the CDS™Aligned Badge on all marketing materials
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For more information on how to become a CDS™ Aligned firm and please email [email protected]

© 2024 by CDS™. All Rights Reserved.

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