We can agree that divorce is a difficult process for a married couple to go through. In the collaborative divorce process, the focus is on cooperation, not litigation.
In the collaborative divorce process, the parties resolve their issues in a respectful manner, using a team approach. The team assists the parties in crafting solutions in the best interest of each party, without involving the judge to make their final decisions.
A few of the differences between the collaborative divorce process and a litigated divorce are:
- The parties agree to the collaborative divorce process and agree to resolve their differences without court intervention.
- The emphasis is on fashioning solutions that take into account each of the party’s needs and goals and keeping the attention on the needs of their children.
- The parties look to reach a fair and equitable settlement of all their issues, while maintaining control of the final outcome.
In the collaborative divorce process, the parties, their respective attorneys and a coach meet in a group setting. An agenda is set for each meeting, to assist the team to stay on track. These meetings are designed to encourage the sharing of ideas and settlement options.
The collaborative divorce process requires the parties to commit to work together, and agree to forgo litigation. When the parties share the mindset that they want to control the end result of their divorce, and want to make decisions in the best interest of their children, the collaborative divorce process is a great solution to protracted and expensive litigation.
Laurie K. Schmitt, founder of Schmitt Law, PLLC, is an Attorney, Mediator, and Collaborative Divorce lawyer. When possible, she guides her clients through amicable divorce settlements so they can move forward with their life. Contact Laurie to schedule a consultation to discuss the collaborative divorce process and how it can benefit you.
