When going through a
divorce, couples oftentimes look for quicker, cheaper and less stressful ways
to terminate their marriage. A contested divorce can involve many negotiations,
court time and emotional trauma. When spouses come to us asking for an
easier way, we often suggest a
collaborative divorce. This process is generally cheaper than going through litigation, it allows
for more privacy and brings about much less stress than a contested divorce.
On top of that, it can be completed much quicker because there is no hassle
with court proceedings. If you have any questions regarding this option
of divorce, contact a Marietta divorce lawyer from Henrickson & Sereebutra.
In a collaborative divorce there are four parties working together; you,
your spouse and both of your lawyers. There are four major steps involved
in the process, including:
- Disclosure: You and your spouse will need to disclose all assets and income
with verification through tax returns and any other documents necessary.
- Conferences: You and your spouse plus your lawyers and any other neutral
parties will meet and discuss all of the divorce issues while finding
ways to reach agreements.
- Issue Resolution: Decisions will be made on the divorce issues such as
child support, child custody, spousal support, property division and debts.
- Written Agreement: The lawyers will draft the agreement and legal documents
required to finalize the divorce and then submit them to the court for approval.
If, for some reason, you and your spouse are unable to reach an agreement
through these negotiations, you may have to go to court. The twist to
this type of divorce is that if you have to enter divorce litigation,
both parties need to be represented by different attorneys. This generally
provides more of an incentive for both parties to settle because retaining
another lawyer can cost more and take much more time. For help in your
collaborative divorce,
contact a Marietta divorce attorney from our firm.