Some people think that collaborative divorce is somewhat of an oxymoron. Perhaps you remember this term from school – something that is contradictory to its very nature, like “pretty ugly” or “seriously funny.” After all, if two people could work together collaboratively, they would not be getting divorced, right? Not exactly. Many people disagree on financial and/or children’s issues but they also simply wish to part ways on friendly terms. For those who want to bypass the misery and cost of traditional divorce, collaborative divorce might just be the answer.
How do Floridians get divorced?
To dissolve a marriage in a traditional way, the parties must file a petition for dissolution of marriage in court. This gets the ball rolling. However, most divorces end with a settlement, not a trial. Frequently, the parties will engage in mediation, where a neutral party sits down with the parties and their lawyers to resolve the matter without further court costs, lawyer fees, and the stress of painful byproducts of divorce court. Once all the details are hammered out, the parties put together a settlement agreement that controls property division, real estate, custody, child support, and spousal support (also called alimony).
How Is A Collaborative Divorce Different?
A collaborative divorce bypasses the litigation route in favor of a commitment to settle. The goal is very different than litigation; all parties, including the lawyers, should go into the discussion like allies seeking a sensible solution.
A Collaborative Law divorce, paternity or separation is a private process in which the parties control the pace and timing of the process. A team, consisting of an lawyer for each party, one neutral financial expert, and one neutral health expert are selected to work with the parties to facilitate resolution without depositions, discovery, and litigation.
A Collaborative divorce is appropriate even in the most challenging cases. The process permits privacy of your financial information, respect, fairness and preservation of assets.
What Are The Limitations And Potential Issues With Collaborative Divorce?
If the negotiations break down neither lawyer may represent you, the other professionals withdraw and the parties must start over. Both parties to a collaborative divorce must commit to honesty and transparency in the process.
Where To Find A Collaborative Divorce Lawyer In Orlando, Florida
If you want to find out more about a collaborative divorce and have questions about whether it is right for you and your spouse, you should seek out lawyers who are trained in Collaborative Law. The skilled lawyers at the office of Goodblatt · Leo, have over 35 years of combined experience and offer thorough and knowledgeable advice for those going through a Collaborative Family law matter, divorce, modification, or paternity in central Florida. The lawyers are members of the Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida, www.cfl-cfl.com or information is available at that website.
Our attorneys, Amy E. Goodblatt and Tatiana Leo, have more than 55 years of combined legal experience. They are directly involved in each case and stay focused on the issues that matter most to you.
