Kinder, Gentler Method Of Divorce: Collaborative Divorce
If you and your spouse want a different way to end your marriage, collaborative divorce could be for you. You and your spouse should be able to get along well enough to discuss divorce issues in a civil and cooperative manner, however, to best take advantage of this method of divorce. The major idea behind collaborative divorce is to resolve issues ahead of time and to keep issues away from the purview of court. If a collaborative divorce sounds like it could work for you, read on to learn more.
What is collaborative divorce?
In most cases, a collaborative divorce takes several people to make it work well. A team approach is used to help the divorcing couple deal with financial issues, child custody and the emotional fallout of divorce. Not all divorce attorneys practice with a collaborative model, but those that do value the resolution of issues over the acrimony of traditional divorces. Spouses still each have their own attorneys, but attorneys in collaborative divorce agree to work together and place more of an emphasis on coming to a peaceful resolution of issues than to litigation.
A collaborative divorce; step by step.
1. Full, open and honest disclosure of all financial information with accompanying documentation including tax returns, bank accounts, investment accounts, real estate deeds and titles, and more.
2. A series of meeting sessions are scheduled to discuss pertinent issues, one at a time, with associated team members. For example, a (neutral) financial planning expert can help the couple create a property and debt division plan that is fair to both sides.
3. Disputed issues are settled with conflict resolution techniques; even the thorniest issues that involve child custody, child support and visitation.
4. Finally, a complete legally-binding divorce agreement is filed with the court.
Benefits of a collaborative divorce
Emotional: Fighting cases in court can be emotionally draining. A collaborative divorce uses well-throughout solutions in an orderly step by step manner with a eye towards respect of both parties and fairness.
Time: Court time means a long, drawn-out process with delays and postponements. With a collaborative divorce issues are worked out ahead of time using a workable schedule.
Financial: Court time costs money. With a collaborative divorce, a couple may only need a single court appearance.
Talk to your divorce attorney for a law firm like Gordon Liebmann Attorneys at Law or more information and to find out how a collaborative divorce could work for your situation.