Divorce does not have to be a public court battle. For couples who can work together to reach an agreement on the terms of the divorce, collaborative divorce is private and less expensive way of ending the marriage. It gives you control over the process and the outcome, rather than putting the decisions in the court’s hands. It provides the best chance for both of you to get what you want. And, if children are involved, it can be the least stressful process for them and lay the groundwork for cooperative co-parenting in the years to come.
How Does Collaborative Divorce Work?
In collaborative divorce, you and your spouse will each have your own attorney. Your attorneys guide you through the process of negotiating agreements on the matters that must be resolved in divorce, such as division of property, spousal support, and child custody. You will also work with professionals such as child specialists, mental health professionals, and other experts.
You will not have multiple court dates. You only need to go to court to finalize your agreement.
You and your spouse control the process and the outcome. Very often, that means you both get what you want in matters such as property division, rather than having the court make decisions that neither of you is happy with.
What if it Doesn’t Work?
If you are unable to reach an agreement and decide to go the traditional divorce route, you can abandon the collaborative process and do that. You will both have to hire new attorneys and nothing that was revealed during the collaborative process can be used in court.
To learn more about collaborative divorce, and find out if it is the right option for you, please contact an experienced family law attorney in your state.
