Collaborative Edge
Alternative Dispute Resolution with a Difference.
Helping New Zealand families transition through conflict with a focus on real human outcomes.
Welcome to Collaborative Edge - Real Solutions for Your Family
At Collaborative Edge, we believe in a fresh approach to family conflict resolution. This isn't your typical Alternative Dispute Resolution website. We're here to help families transition from conflict with transparency and care, using the Collaborative Resolution Framework.
Whether you're navigating a divorce, dealing with a Will or Estate Dispute, Trust, or other family conflicts, Collaborative Edge offers solutions for success.
Family disputes, including divorce, don't have to be disastrous. They can be handled with dignity and mutual respect—just the way you want it. If this resonates with you, you're in the right place.
We understand that life can feel overwhelming, especially during family disputes when emotions run high and worries become real. Today, you stand at a crossroads that requires strength and bold decisions.
Dominique Bergel-Grant is here to help you make those decisions with clarity and confidence. Let's work together to find the best path forward for you and your family.
Dominique specialises in building a collaborative framework to resolve your dispute. Additionally, she can assist you in preparing for mediation or an upcoming court date. Her focus is to ensure you are well equipped to navigate these processes with confidence and understanding.
Whether you choose the collaborative framework in full or to support your existing dispute resolution, Collaborative Edge is committed to supporting you every step of the way.

Why Collaborative Divorce?
Divorce is never easy, but how you navigate it can significantly impact your emotional well-being, financial stability, and long-term family dynamics.
Traditional mediation or an adversarial court divorce can lead to long-term harm and unintended consequences, such as:
- Increased conflict and tension
- Loss of control over the process
- Emotional toll on children
- High costs and time consumption
- Lack of privacy
- Limited focus on future co-parenting
- Rigid, one-size-fits-all outcomes
- Emotional burnout and stress
A collaborative divorce offers a dignified, private, and respectful alternative that empowers you to work through the complexities of your separation in a way that prioritizes the well-being of everyone involved.
Instead of facing off in a courtroom, you and your partner will have a safe and supportive space to openly discuss your concerns, interests, and needs, allowing you to resolve conflicts at your own pace.
The focus of Collaborative Divorce is on interest-based negotiations.
Are you ready to put the 'C' in your divorce?

Why Collaborative Wills, Estates and Trusts?
The Collaborative Practice model in Wills and Estates offers a constructive approach to resolving estate and succession planning issues. It focuses on helping families address disputes and make decisions together, rather than resorting to court battles. This approach prioritizes preserving relationships, minimizing costs, and avoiding unnecessary delays.
Collaborative Practice provides solutions to key challenges of estate disputes, which can include:
- Emotional and financial strain
- Heightened stress and financial burdens after the loss of a loved one
- Deepening conflicts between family members
- Risks of damaging family relationships and businesses
- Significant delays in distributing inheritances, sometimes taking years
- Reduction in the value of the estate due to mounting legal costs
- Fear of triggering conflicts, leading to unaddressed issues that resurface later
The Collaborative Framework can also facilitate difficult succession-planning conversations.
Overall, Collaborative Practice provides a proactive, cooperative framework to navigate these sensitive issues effectively and equitably.

Mediator, Divorce Financial Expert & Coach
Dominique Bergel-Grant can assist you in preparing for your dispute or facilitate a formal mediation between parties. With over 20 years of experience as a Financial Planner, Dominique also holds qualifications as a CDC Certified Divorce Coach®, CDC Certified Transition and Recovery Specialist®, Mediator, and Collaborative Professional. Dominique brings a wealth of expertise to support you through this challenging time.
Dominique can act as your mediator or assist you in preparation for mediation and litigation in court, as well as serve as a financial neutral in collaborative disputes.
As a Financial Neutral, Dominique serves as an impartial expert who helps all parties understand and manage the financial aspects during disputes. Dominique can:
- Collect and organize financial information
- Ensure transparency and fairness
- Support informed decision-making and creative solutions
In mediation, Dominique focuses on facilitating discussions and helping both parties reach mutually beneficial agreements. Dominique's expertise ensures that all financial aspects are thoroughly considered, reducing the risk of future conflicts.
For litigation or mediation preparation, Dominique prepares comprehensive financial documentation and analysis, presenting a clear and accurate picture of the financial situation. This preparation is crucial for informed decision-making and effective representation in court.
Dominique's role is focused on supporting you to achieve sustainable agreements.

Hello,
Divorce and family conflict can be an overwhelming experience, and it's something no one anticipates dealing with. I aim to support you, just as I have assisted hundreds of others, by leveraging my expertise to address your unique needs.
The Facts
For over a decade, I've dedicated myself to supporting families through conflict and divorce. As a Financial Planner, Qualified Mediator, CDC Certified Divorce Coach®, CDC Certified Transition and Recovery Specialist®, and Collaborative Professional (Financial and Coach), I bring a wealth of expertise to the table.
The Heart
Having gone through divorce firsthand and being raised in a divorced family, my mission is deeply personal. My focus is to keep families on a path that causes the least possible harm.
The Collaborative Resolution Framework drives positive and compassionate outcomes that build a clear path, ensuring a smooth transition.
As the Collaborative Coach, my role is to build the framework within which your family can safely work towards a resolution. I aim to make what can seem insurmountable and complex as calm and clear as possible.
If the Collaborative Framework isn't the right option for you or your dispute, I can also assist you in a range of other ways. From preparation for mediation and litigation to facilitating your mediation, enabling all parties to have difficult conversations within a structured and safe environment.
I look forward to finding out how I can help your family.
Dominique Bergel-Grant
Collaborative Coach, Mediator & Financial Neutral
Specialising in Divorce and Financially Complex Family Matters

Questions & Answer Time
I'm interested in a Collaborative Resolution. Where do I start?
Does my lawyer need to be Collaboratively Trained?
Who forms the Collaborative Team?
What does Dominique do as the Collaborative Coach?
What if we can not agree or hit other roadblocks?
Is a Collaborative Resolution for everyone?
What is the difference between Mediation vs Collaborative Resolution?
What is the difference between Court vs Collaborative Resolution?
What will it cost?
Contact Dominique Today
Ready to approach disputes differently or have more questions? Book your free 30-minute discovery session with Dominique today!
Still not sure, email [email protected] with your questions.
NZBN 9429052482007
All content on this website, our Facebook page and all we produce (podcast, eBooks, social media, online courses) are for educational purposes only and owned by Collaborative Edge Limited.
Any advice or information published is general in nature only and does not take into account your objectives, personal situation or needs. Because of that, you should always seek professional financial, legal or other relevant professional advice before taking any action.
Dominique Bergel-Grant and Collaborative Edge Limited does not provide legal advice.
If you have any questions, please call Dominique directly on 021 086 35271 or email [email protected]