Why is collaborative divorce so much better?
This method of divorce gives you and your spouse the greatest amount of freedom to structure a settlement that works best for both of you and your children, if you have any. Beyond that, the advantages are as follows:
- Free, honest and open exchange of information
- Informal setting
- Less time and money
- Freedom to determine how post-divorce disputes will be resolved
That sounds great, but what does it entail?
First, and perhaps most importantly, both parties have to agree to go through the process. If your spouse is not on board, negotiations will more than likely fail. If you both decide to use collaborative divorce, the basic steps are as follows:
- Each of you needs to hire your own attorney. Your attorney should be supportive of the process.
- You will meet with your attorney alone to discuss what you expect to happen and what you expect to receive in the settlement. You should also discuss what you are not willing to accept.
- You, your spouse and both attorneys will then attend several meetings to negotiate your settlement.
- Other professionals might come in to help with certain issues, such as appraisers to help value assets, counselors to discuss custody issues and financial planners to help determine what each of you will need in order to live comfortably after the divorce.
- Once you reach an agreement, the court will need to approve it. However, the court would consider the divorce uncontested since all of your issues are already resolved.
Of course, this is just a simplified outline of what will occur. You and your spouse will do the real work with the support and assistance of the professionals around you. If issues arise that you and your spouse find difficult to agree on, you can bring in a mediator to help the negotiations move forward.
The collaborative divorce process focuses on you and your future. Enlisting the assistance of a compassionate and knowledgeable attorney makes all the difference. This is an emotional time in your family’s life, and the ultimate goal is to get you both through it with a settlement that provides you with the satisfaction and financial security that you desire.
Why is collaborative divorce so much better?
This method of divorce gives you and your spouse the greatest amount of freedom to structure a settlement that works best for both of you and your children, if you have any. Beyond that, the advantages are as follows:
- Free, honest and open exchange of information
- Informal setting
- Less time and money
- Freedom to determine how post-divorce disputes will be resolved
That sounds great, but what does it entail?
First, and perhaps most importantly, both parties have to agree to go through the process. If your spouse is not on board, negotiations will more than likely fail. If you both decide to use collaborative divorce, the basic steps are as follows:
- Each of you needs to hire your own attorney. Your attorney should be supportive of the process.
- You will meet with your attorney alone to discuss what you expect to happen and what you expect to receive in the settlement. You should also discuss what you are not willing to accept.
- You, your spouse and both attorneys will then attend several meetings to negotiate your settlement.
- Other professionals might come in to help with certain issues, such as appraisers to help value assets, counselors to discuss custody issues and financial planners to help determine what each of you will need in order to live comfortably after the divorce.
- Once you reach an agreement, the court will need to approve it. However, the court would consider the divorce uncontested since all of your issues are already resolved.
Of course, this is just a simplified outline of what will occur. You and your spouse will do the real work with the support and assistance of the professionals around you. If issues arise that you and your spouse find difficult to agree on, you can bring in a mediator to help the negotiations move forward.
The collaborative divorce process focuses on you and your future. Enlisting the assistance of a compassionate and knowledgeable attorney makes all the difference. This is an emotional time in your family’s life, and the ultimate goal is to get you both through it with a settlement that provides you with the satisfaction and financial security that you desire.
