What is collaborative divorce in Florida and how does it work? This article explains what you can expect and why you might want to try it over traditional divorce.
Traditional divorce is a notoriously messy ordeal. By the time the case goes to court—and even at every stage before that—the emotional weight for everyone involved is often too much to bear.
If you want to keep the divorce process from devolving into a traumatic experience, you need an alternative. Collaborative divorce may be the answer you are looking for.
Collaborative Divorce in Florida: How Does It Work?
In a collaborative divorce, the main objective for both parties is identical: coming to an agreement on the settlement. The process takes a non-adversarial approach, keeping everyone focused on the objective and promoting clear communication.
Collaborative divorce in Florida begins the same way that traditional divorce begins—each spouse hires an attorney—but that is where the similarities end. Unlike mediation (which shares some cooperative characteristics with collaboration), collaborative divorce ensures that both parties’ best interests, legally speaking, are kept intact throughout the process.
When you hire an attorney and you and your spouse have agreed to collaborate on the settlement, make sure your wishes are clear from the start. When you and your attorney meet with your spouse and their attorney for the first time, you will create a collaborative divorce agreement, which lays the ground rules for how things will proceed.
Here are a few reasons why you might wish to consider collaborative divorce.
Why Should I Choose Cooperation over the Traditional Process?
If you and your spouse are still in an amicable relationship after agreeing to a divorce, you could both benefit from a cooperative approach.
Collaborative divorce in Florida allows for more control over the results of any settlement that you reach. It is, therefore, more likely that you will be satisfied with the results.
You also will not usually pay as much for a collaborative divorce as you would in a traditional divorce. Part of the reason it is less expensive is that the process does not take as much time.
Finally, you will not be required to endure any of the combative interrogation that you would in a courtroom divorce. In fact, it is possible in a collaborative approach that you may never even need to speak to a judge, aside from when you finalize the divorce.
In the end, collaboration gives you control over what happens, and that will allow for a more satisfactory deal—for you and your ex-spouse. Neither of you will get everything that you want in the deal, but neither of you will feel like you have been cheated, either.
Talk to an Attorney Experienced in Collaborative Divorce in Florida
Are you and your spouse thinking of divorce? If you have not yet considered collaborative divorce, you should get in touch with me. Let’s come up with a plan together.
About the Author: Helena Y. Farber is a Divorce attorney in Aventura, Florida, whose practice is concentrated in the areas of divorce and family law. She can be reached at (305) 520-9205 or via email at hyf@farberlawpa.com.
Disclaimer: The attorney makes this Blog available for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site, you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.