A collaborative law proceeding generally begins with one of the parties or attorneys suggesting collaborative law as a means of attempting to resolve all outstanding issues.  Thereafter, assuming the parties and their attorneys agree to use collaborative law, a meeting is generally held whereby the parties and their attorneys sign a collaborative law agreement.   The collaborative law agreement must be in writing, signed by the parties and their attorneys, state that the parties are electing to use collaborative law as a means to attempt to resolve their outstanding issues and set forth that the attorney(s) for each party must withdraw in the event the collaborative law procedure does not result in a settlement.  Mediation and/or binding arbitration may, however, be used as a part of the collaborative law procedure; the attorneys representing the parties in the collaborative matter may represent the client in such alternative dispute resolution means (such as mediation or binding arbitration) as are pursued as a part of the collaborative law agreement.