An Alternative to Traditional Divorce
Collaborative divorce is a process that allows people to avoid many of the pains and pitfalls of a traditional adversarial divorce with the help of a trained divorce lawyer. In a collaborative divorce, both spouses commit to working to negotiate an agreement without going to court. They’ll sit down with divorce lawyers and discuss each family problem until they find an agreeable solution. There are numerous benefits of collaborative divorce if both partners are willing to come together with their collaborative divorce lawyers and hammer out a position that’s acceptable by both parties. Some of the major benefits are cost savings, time savings, less emotionally exhausting, the ability to retain decision-making power, and the development of problem-solving abilities.
Benefits of Collaborative Divorce
Saving Money– Not having to go through the entire process of adversarial divorce means that people will be spending less time and money with the divorce lawyers. It also means that they will spend less money on the courts.
Unbiased Professionals– During a collaborative divorce, neutral experts are hired to help determine the best outcome for the family such as a child psychologist, financial planner, and a real estate broker.
Saving Time– An adversarial divorce is hard and time-consuming, and protracted divorce proceedings are even harder, both on the psyche and the wallet. Collaborative divorce, on the other hand, usually only takes ¼ of the time a regular adversarial divorce takes, saving you both money and stress. This compressed time frame also allows you to move on faster.
Less Emotional Exhaustion– Many divorce lawyers who are experts in collaborative divorce are also very good conflict mediators. This means that there is a lower likelihood that your split will become acrimonious. This can mean a more equitable split of assets than would otherwise be possible, and can also mean a friendlier divorce overall.
Making Your Own Decisions– In a standard adversarial divorce, the final say is down to the presiding judge. However, in a collaborative divorce, you and your divorce lawyers negotiate until both parties are satisfied with the outcome. This means that there is no diktat from on high telling you what you have to do, and you have more flexibility to determine outcomes.
Development of problem-solving abilities– This is not so much an advantage for the collaborative divorce process itself as it is an advantage in life. You will have to come to the table willing to negotiate to make a collaborative divorce successful. Therefore, you and your partner will have to learn to get along even during the more oppositional moments. This will serve you well in the future, especially if you have children and need to make their lives as smooth as possible.
” Discourage Litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser – in fees, expenses, and waste of time. As a peacemaker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough.”
The Collaborative Divorce Approach
While it is not for everyone, collaborative divorce can be a powerful force for good in your life. You can save money, time, and willpower by talking it out with your partner and your divorce lawyers. Coming to a mutually agreed upon conclusion can be a boon to both parties. It is important to note, however, that collaborative divorce requires that both parties to the divorce wish to settle in an amicable way. If there are any serious disagreements, both parties are going to have to be able to come to a compromise, or else negotiations will break down and the case will transform itself into a regular adversarial court case, with all the relevant disadvantages. Therefore, both parties should come into collaborative divorce proceedings understanding that they are negotiations. There is room to maneuver, but both parties must be able to look the other in the eye and, with the help of their divorce lawyers, negotiate a mutually-agreeable settlement.
The Law Firm of Irons & Irons Collaborating on Your Behalf
If you are considering or believe you are ready to move forward with a collaborative divorce in the Greenville area, please contact Family Law Attorney, Gib Irons today. Gib is an active member of the Collaborative Divorce Association of Eastern Carolina and he understands the benefits available to people who are able to take advantage of the collaborative divorce process. Attorney Irons is committed to helping people obtain the divorce agreement they deserve while avoiding the potential challenges of traditional divorce. To schedule an initial consultation, please call our experienced collaborative family law attornies at 252-215-3000 or fill out our contact form below. Protecting your Privacy ~ Your privacy is our primary concern. At Irons & Irons, we understand the importance of protecting your privacy and will never share your contact information with a 3rd party.
