Going through a divorce is difficult for every couple, and these difficulties only increase if you have to add litigation to the mix. No one will handle additional expenses, stress and lost time well.
Instead, a couple may benefit from looking into ways of resolving a divorce that do not involve the court. Collaboration can potentially fill that niche.
The basics of collaborative divorce
Cornell Law School discusses collaborative divorce as an option. In this situation, both of the parties in a divorcing couple will hire personal representatives. These are attorneys who will work to represent the wishes, demands and needs of their clients in divorce negotiations.
After establishing a representative, all four members of this party will hold every meeting about the divorce together. The couple will communicate through their representatives, who can provide valuable insight and information on legal matters related to divorce at the same time.
Who does it work for?
This option works best for couples who already have an uncontested divorce and only need help coming to a fair and reasonable agreement on some contested matters in the divorce itself. This can include hot button issues like child custody, spousal support amounts, and what to do with retirement funds.
However, it may not work for everyone. In some couples, too much tension and animosity exist. It is not the job of a personal representative to emotionally control their clients, and even a mediator may not always have what a couple needs to get through a tricky negotiation. For those individuals, other options may end up serving their needs better, while also still avoiding taking the case to court.
