What is a Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS) and how to become a CDS Aligned Law Firm
A CDS® is one who has 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 giving the professional a holistic understanding of their clients’ experience
What does this mean for Divorcing Clients?
It means that the CDS Aligned Law Firm has gone above and beyond to make sure that their staff is equipped with unique skills and divorce-specific information to manage a better experience for all parties involved.
About the CDS Program
This CDS program is a highly involved and participatory 16-hour course. The curriculum is filled with experiential learning, including a comprehensive manual, several exercises, and time to practice new skills. Participants are sure to come out of the training enlightened and equipped with tools to:
- Overcome common professional/ divorce client obstacles
- Communicate more efficiently with colleagues and clients
- Manage emotional states (both the client’s and their own)
- Gather information more effectively
- Establish and achieve goals (both the client’s and their own)
- Manage client’s expectations
- Increase productivity
- Improve internal & external communication
The CDS training is available both online and in-person and can be customized to the needs of the firm. The training is suitable for all staff in your firm, especially those who deal directly with divorcing clients.
The CDS Curriculum Focuses On...
Communication
Systems
Language & Culture
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...
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
What CDS Aligned Businesses Are Saying...
New York, USA
Alberta, CA
California, USA
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, if you are providing a service to a divorcing individual, couple, or family, it is imperative for you to familiarize yourself holistically 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. This section of the CDS training focuses on the fundamental legal, financial, mental health and residential aspects of the divorce process that may directly affect your client.
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 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
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.
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]
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